  This study is aimed at investigating the physicochemical properties of low
rank Nigerian coals. The coal samples were examined using bomb calorimetry,
ultimate and proximate analyses to determine the heating value, elemental
composition and physicochemical properties. The calorific values of the coals
were; 23.74 MJ/kg for GMG; 27.34 MJ/kg for SKJ and 30.52 MJ/kg for AFZ. The
results of elemental analysis showed high C, H, O and low N, and S content for
the coals. The GMG coal displayed the lowest N, and S values emphasizing its
low pollutant emission potential. The highest VM (51.16 %) and M (5.28 %)
content was observed for GMG; AFZ coal displayed the highest ash content at
30.99 %; and SKJ the highest FC content. Consequently, the reactivity and
maturity of the low rank Nigerian coals investigated increases in the order;
GMG > SKJ > AFZ.
  Keywords: Physicochemical, Characterization, Low rank, Nigeria, Coal, Energy
