How much carbon is there in coal?

Depending on the type and several other factors, bituminous coal may contain from 60% to 80% of carbon (C), anthracite more (92-98%) and lignite less (25-35%). Its composition and heating value depend on the level of moisture, ash, sulphur and other trace compounds. The element carbon is the main component of bituminous coal. Carbon occurs in various forms, the so-called allotropic varieties. It means that its atoms may be laid with time in various characteristic ways, giving each kind of carbon different physical and chemical properties. The best known allotropic varieties are: graphite, diamond, graphene (a single layer of carbon atoms) fullerenes (nanotubes and buckyballs).