Sub-Bituminous Coal

Sub-bituminous coals are the second division of low-rank coals. They are transitional between lignite and
bituminous coal. In the U.S. rank classification, sub-bituminous coals and their subdivisions (A, B, C) are
supposed to be based on calorific value. By ASTM standards, sub-bituminous coals have calorific
(heating) values of 8,300 to 11,500 Btu/lb (ASTM, 2014). In practice, however, there is considerable
overlap between what is called a higher rank sub-bituminous coal (subbituminous A) and a lower rank
bituminous (high volatile C) coal. For example, coal beds of the Illinois Basin (and western Kentucky) are
considered high volatile C bituminous coals although they have calorific values of less than 11,500
Btu/lb. Vitrinite reflectance (%Ro) in subbituminous coals is generally Ro between 0.4 to 0.5%Ro. As with
calorific values, reflectance values for what are considered bituminous C and subbituminous A coals in
the United States overlap.

Sub-bituminous C (lower rank sub-bituminous) coals in the U.S. rank system are brown and earthy like
lignites, whereas, sub-bituminous A (higher rank sub-bituminous) coals are gray to black and shiny like
bituminous coals. Sub-bituminous coals are sometimes referred to as black lignite (Jackson, 1997).

Sub-bituminous rank and defining characteristics.