Solid fuel purposes, such as refining metals. Coal is the largest source of energy for the generation of electricity worldwide, as well as one of the largest worldwide anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide releases. The extraction of coal, its use in energy production and its byproducts are all associated with environmental and health effects including climate change. Variations such as smokeless coal can be formed naturally in the form of anthracite, a metamorphosed type of coal with a very high carbon content that gives off a smokeless flame when set alight. Coke is a fuel with few impurities and a high carbon
Coal assay in the crucible. The cross sectional profile of this coke button compared to a set of standardised profiles determines the Free Swelling Index. Several international standards classify coals by their rank, where increasing rank corresponds to coal with a higher carbon content. The rank of coal is correlated with its geologic history, as described in Hilt's law. In the ASTM system, any coal with more than 69% fixed carbon is classified by its carbon and volatiles content. Coal with less than 69% fixed carbon is classified by its heating value. Volatiles and carbon are on a dry mineral free base;