traditional fuels: peat vs. wood vs. coal?

Question

I'm not at all sure how to categorize this question, so I'll post it in multiple places nd hope someone has some experience in the matter.

Comparatively speaking, what sort of temperature (general feel, not specific numbers), amount of flame (not just glowing embers), length and efficiency of burn, and amount/appearance of ash can be expected when burning blocks of peat, lengths of hardwood, and chunks of anthracite coal? I'm trying to gather info for novel-writing in lower-technology settings, so I'm more interested in sensory input and daily usage (smell, warmth, appearance, practical efficiency) than in scientific figures, though I'll be thankful for any info at all....

The setting is a fantasy one, involving an entire continent (much larger than the landmass of all North America) of my imagining. There are MANY geographic, environmental, and cultural regions on it (I've been researching this for years), with different fuels (and levels of technology) in different places. I know which fuels would be used in which places/cultures, I just don't know for sure what to tell about the different kinds of fires produced (both in homes and out traveling through trackless places). I've only recently realized just HOW uninformed I am about what look/feel/smell is produced by different types of fuel being burned, and about how efficient each fuel source is, and what kind of ash (look/feel/amount) it leaves.

Oops, I meant geological, not geographic....I have to know what the land surface and the rocks look like as well, I really am that much of a stickler.... :-)

Answer 1

Great question--but I think that WHERE your novel takes place will dictate the fuel type, particularly in low-technology settings where choices aren't available. For example, if it were Ireland, it would be peat--no hardwoods there. If it were Appalachia, it would be anthracite or bituminous coal. If it were a mountain setting, probably hardwoods, but it would need to be from trees indigenous to the area. Details are what differentiates good novels from great ones.

Answer 2

First of all, which 3 peat Bulls team are you talking about, because there were two. Second of all, all the Bulls teams were great teams with a lot of great players. Horace Grant was an elite power foward, Dennis Rodman was an elite power forward. BJ Armstrong was an All Star. John Paxon went to the All Star game twice. The Bulls were built to stop big men, becuase they had tons of 7 footers to throw at them. Oh yeah, here is a little secret, the Bulls played Shaq several times and whooped him up good while he was in Orlando with Penny. Either Bulls team would sweep the floor with the Lakers. Kobe wouldn't be a threat because Pippen would stick him, Shaq would get frustrated by the constent fouling and abuse he would take from Will Perdue, Bill Wennington, Horace Grant, Luke Longley, Bill Cartwright, or even Dennis Rodman, you can pick. Rodman was the original Ben Wallace, and he would give all the Lakers nightmares. This is not a good match up for the Bulls. How about you say Bulls versus the repeat Rockets, because that would have been an awsome match up.