What Is Lignite Coal??

shayneyasinski · Post by **shayneyasinski** » Wed. Mar. 28, 2007 12:43 am

this is what I can get locally
good ???
bad???
looking for a multi fuel boiler so I can burn this coal and wood and some waste oil.

thanks

shayne

Post by **Richard S.** » Wed. Mar. 28, 2007 3:38 am

Lignite is the lowest rank below bituminous, probably not suitable for home heating/coal stove at all.

Berlin · Post by **Berlin** » Wed. Mar. 28, 2007 3:42 am

lignite coal is a soft, low BTU (around 8,000btu/lb) coal with a "peaty" or "clayish" consistancy. it tends not to form clinkers easily partly because of the lower temps at which it burns; it also will not form conglomerations of sticky coke. in my opinion after having tried out some it is the best coal I've ever burned aside from the lower heat content. if I could get a truckload to my home economically I would in a heartbeat. It is not a smokeless coal either, and tends to burn somewhat smokey under most conditions, although not unlike wood. I would say that it is probably the "easiest" coal to burn and is far more forgiving than bituminous, and anthricite as well, but for different reasons.

btw, the admin beat me to the response by a few minuites I realize on edit, however, I would say it is an excellent home heating fuel, and will burn very nicely in an open fireplace as well.

Post by **Richard S.** » Wed. Mar. 28, 2007 6:50 am

Well you would know I wouldn't.

I just don't get the forgiving part... I know its easier to light, probably not much harder than geting wood going but you only have to light it once. Also bear in mind my furnace has been going non stop except a few days for maintenace for about 25 years.

e.alleg · Post by **e.alleg** » Thu. Mar. 29, 2007 10:12 am

Do a google search for the COALMAN outdoor boiler, it is designed for lignite coal.

Berlin · Post by **Berlin** » Fri. Mar. 30, 2007 2:50 am

i would tend to avoid outdoor boilers, not just because of the inefficiency involved, but that all the whiners come out of the woodwork when they see one, and the resulting smoke from it. whether you are in the town or out in the country, people still drive by and form negative opinons about solid fuel heating based on outdoor boilers.

i would rather reccomend a decent indoor multi-fuel boiler, even hand loading would be very easy with lignite, it has burning characteristics much like would although more btu's/lb and more ash, and easier handling in my opinion (i hate dealing w/ all the bugs and crap that come in when using wood) coal on the other hand, if handled carefully, is a good (easy to keep things clean) fuel to use indoors.