Which is the most popular coal in commercial use?

The correct answer is Bituminous.

Key Points:

• Bituminous coal is a commercially used type of coal. 
• Bituminous coal, also known as black coal, is a relatively soft coal that contains bitumen, a tar-like substance.
• This coal is classified according to its plasticity, moisture content, volatility, and ash content.
• Plasticity is required for the production of coke, which is used in the production of fuel gases such as producer gas.
• Volatility is critical for steel production and power generation. 

Additional Information:

• Anthracite:
  • ​Anthracite, also known as a hard coal, and a black coal, is hard, compact variety of coal that has a submetallic lustre.
  • It has the highest carbon content, the fewest impurities, and the highest energy density of any type of coal and is ranked first.
• Peat:
  • Peat, also known as turf, is a type of organic matter that has partially decayed.
  • Turf differs from peat in that it also refers to soil with grass.
  • It can only be found in peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs.
• Lignite:
  • ​Lignite, also known as brown coal, is a soft, brown, combustible sedimentary rock composed of naturally compressed peat.