Coal is commonly thought of as the dark black rock-like substance that fills the sky with smoke when burned. White coal, also called bio coal, is completely different; for starters, it is better for the environment because no toxic residue results from creating or using white coal. White coal is made by taking trees, plants and agricultural waste such almond shells and drying the plant material. It is used in many applications by many industries and is easily renewable. Aside from being cleaner than regular coal, bio coal also yields more energy and has lower moisture.
To create white coal, all that is needed is plant material and a fire over which to dry the material. The most common materials used to make bio coal are leaves, trees, almond and groundnut shells, and cotton stalks. Industries normally do this in large drying mechanisms that yield a large amount of bio coal. Unlike regular coal, which requires binders and other substances to make the coal usable as an energy source, bio coal does not require any additional substances.
After being dried, the material used to create bio coal is formed into a cylindrical shape, the standard for bio coal production. The formation is not assisted by any chemicals. It is made using powerful mechanical presses.
The uses for white coal are as varied as black coal uses. It is used in homes for heat and cooking, and by many industries that need or produce energy. Anywhere coal is used, bio coal can be substituted. White coal comes from plant waste and material, meaning it is a renewable resource.
Sulfur content is a large problem with regular coal. Bio coal produces no sulfur and, therefore, no pollution when used. Sulfur can also make black coal difficult to store or be around, but white coal does not have this problem.
Another consideration from an air pollution standpoint is the ash created when burning a substance. The ash level in bio coal is usually in a range of 2 percent to 10 percent. This percentage is very low, especially when compared to traditional coal's range of 20 percent to 40 percent ash content when burned.
The energy produced by any substance is measured in kilocalories (kcal). Bio coal is able to produce around 3,800 kcal to 4,500 kcal when used. Black coal typically produces from 3,000 kcal to 3,500 kcal. Combustion also is more uniform in bio coal than in regular coal, making it ideal for applications where the heat has to cover a wide area.
