Clays and other minerals in coal seams of the Moura-Baralaba area, Bowen Basin, Australia

The clays and other minerals in a succession of Late Permian coals of high-volatile bituminous to semi-anthracite rank have been identified, using low-temperature oxygen plasma ashing and X-ray diffraction, and evaluated to identify the relative roles in mineral matter formation of detrital input, early diagenesis in the peat swamp and late diagenesis associated with rank advance. Although well-ordered kaolinite of probable early diagenetic origin is abundant throughout the succession, the uppermost and lowermost seams of the sequence, regardless of rank, contain relatively abundant illite and/or interstratified illite/smectite, along with a small but significant proportion of chlorite. These clays are thought to be essentially of detrital origin, washed or blown into the peat deposit in relative abundance during the establishment and subsequent overwhelming of an extensive and long-lived swampy environment. Quartz is also abundant in the lower seams of the sequence, especially close to the regional sediment source area. Illite is unusually abundant in the topmost seam in both high- and low-rank parts of the succession, and thus appears to represent detrital input from a particular source material. Although significant changes are reported in the clays of the associated strata due to rank advance, the principal effect of rank advance on the minerals in the coal itself appears to be the development of an ammonium illite, and possibly some additional fine-grained chlorite, in the semi-anthracite material. Isolation within the organic matter of the coal is thought to have inhibited access for ions such as K⁺, which might otherwise have become involved in metamorphic reactions and given rise to mineralogical changes commonly found in non-coal sedimentary successions.     

柴达木盆地第三系粘土矿物横向分布规律及控制因素研究

本文根据粘土矿物的类型、含量和组合特征了柴达木盆地第三系粘土矿物横向分布规律，发现上、下第三系尽管伊/蒙间层粘土、伊利石这两类主要粘土矿物从湖盆的边缘向中心分别呈现减小和增大的趋势，但其含量对比及矿物组合显然不同，下第三系以伊利石为主，主要有Ｉ＋有序Ｉ/Ｓ＋Ｃｈ＋Ｋ组合，其次为不含高岭石的组合；上第三系，湖盆边缘相带以Ｉ/Ｓ间层为主，并主要呈现无序Ｉ/Ｓ间层＋Ｉ＋Ｃｈ＋Ｋ组合，湖盆中心相区则与下第三系类似，但Ｉ/Ｓ间层的含量却要高一些。上述分布规律的控制因素主要有干旱-半干旱的古气候状况、不同的母岩类型、沉积环境和成岩作用强度等。     

中国含油气盆地粘土矿物的某些矿物学特征

本文总结归纳了２０多个含油气盆地粘土矿物的类型，讨论了８种较常见的、６种较少见的和３种极少见的粘土矿物的Ｘ射线衍射特征及其成分、形态和分布等方面的矿物学特征．     

Clay petrology of the Upper Triassic/Lower Jurassic terrestrial strata of the Newark Supergroup,Connecticut Valley,U.S.A.

The clay mineralogy of the Newark Supergroup (Upper Triassic/Lower Jurassic) in the Connecticut Valley was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. Clay minerals identified in 126 samples are illite, chlorite, smectite, kaolinite, vermiculite, expandable chlorite, mixed-layer illite/smectite, mixed-layer chlorite/smectite, and mixed-layer chlorite/vermiculite. In general, the rocks are illitic with subordinate amounts of chlorite. However, the various lithofacies in the Newark Supergroup are characterized by distinct clay-mineral assemblages. Red beds of floodplain origin contain clays mainly of detrital nature with 2M illite most abundant. Subordinate amounts of chlorite, smectite, vermiculite, kaolinite and mixed-layer illite/smectite are also present. An interstratified chlorite/vermiculite occurs in red mudstone underlying basalt flows. Lacustrine gray beds are generally characterized by the clay-mineral assemblage 1Md illite + chlorite with minor amounts of smectite ane expandable chlorite. An interstratified chlorite/smectite predominates in gray mudstone associated with perennial lake cycles in the East Berlin Formation. Black shales of deeper lacustrine origin contain the assemblage 1Md ifillite + trioctahedral smectite and traces of chlorite. Illite and smectite also occur as mixed-layer phases.In many respects, the distribution of clay minerals in the Connecticut Valley can be likened to the general scheme proposed for the Permo-Triassic basins of Europe and Africa. These display both vertical and horizontal variations in clay-mineral assemblages that reflect the chemical and spatiotemporal evolution of intrabasin depositional and diagenetic environments. Chemical data indicate that magnesium, especially, was concentrated in the black muds of large perennial lakes that intermittently occupied the Connecticut rift valley. Pore waters derived from these sediments played an important role in the development of Mg-rich 2 : 1 and interstratified clay minerals during early diagenesis.     

蒙脱石+伊/蒙混层+伊利石等粘土矿物混合物相X射线定量分析方法—模拟定量法

本文提出粘土矿物(特别是含伊/蒙不规则混层粘土矿物)混合物相的X射线定量分析方法——模拟定量法。着重解决在蒙脱石-不规则伊/蒙混层粘土矿物-伊利石组合中,伊/蒙混层粘土矿物的定量分析计算。模拟定量法是对以前的各种粘土矿物X射线定量分析方法的补充。用纯净的蒙脱石、伊利石、高岭石、绿泥石及各种伊/蒙混层比的伊/蒙混层粘土矿物,配制了各种不同组合的粘土矿物混合样品,制成定向薄膜片,进行了X射线分析,讨论了各种组合的粘土矿物混合物相X射线衍射图谱的特征,并在此基础上提出了粘土混合物相定量分析的方法。     

Volcanic Activity, Hydrothermal Alteration and Epithermal Gold-Silver Mineralization in the Ryuo Mine Area in the Kitami Metallogenic Province, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract: Characterization of Neogene magmatism in the Ryuo mine area in the Kitami metallogenic province was carried out on the basis of K-Ar data for felsic–to–mafic terrestrial extrusive and intrusive volcanism from Late Miocene to Early Pliocene. The Ryuo epithermal gold-silver deposit occurs primarily in the felsic volcaniclastic rocks of the Ikutahara Formation and in Ryuo Rhyolite. The Ryuo mineralization age of 7. 7 – 8. 1 Ma coincides well with the hydrothermal alteration age (7. 7 Ma) of Ryuo Rhyolite hosting ore veins. It is concluded that the Ryuo mineralization was essentially accompanied by felsic volcanic activity during the sedimentation of the Ikutahara Formation, and was closely related both temporally and spatially to the intrusive activity of Ryuo Rhyolite. Hydrothermal alteration related to the epithermal gold-silver mineralization of the Ryuo deposit is primarily characterized by early regional and vein-related alterations, and late steam-heated alteration. Early regional alteration consists of a smectite halo (smectite+pyrite±quartz±opal–CT±mordenite°Clinoptilolite–heulandite series mineral). Early vein-related alteration is primarily marked by potassic alteration. This alteration halo can be subdivided into a K-feldspar halo (quartz+adular–ia+pyrite±illite±interstratified illite/smectite±smectite), an illite halo (quartz+illite + chlorite + pyrite ± interstratified illite/smec–tite±smectite) and an interstratified illite/smectite halo (quartz + interstratified illite/smectite+pyrite±smectite). Late steam-heated alteration characterized by kaolinite or alunite locally overprints the early K-feldspar halo. The style of the Ryuo gold-silver deposit is a low-sulfidation epithermal type. The gold–silver–bearing quartz vein precipitates during boiling of ore fluid. The origin of the ore fluid might be meteoric water. The temperature and sulfur fugacity conditions during precipitation of electrum and acanthite are estimated to be 206°– 238°C and 10^-13.5 – 10^-11.6 atm, respectively.     

贵州绿豆岩中粘土矿物特征及其成因探讨

本文应用Ｘ射线衍射、红外光谱、差热分析，电子显微镜、化学分析、沉积相分析等方法，详细研究了贵州早、中三叠世间绿豆岩及其粘土矿物组成，确定了贵州绿豆岩中主要粘土矿物为伊利石、蒙脱石、高岭和伊利石／蒙脱石混层矿物。由于各地沉积环境和成岩条件的差异，分别形成伊利石粘土岩、蒙脱石粘土岩和高岭石粘土岩。探讨了绿豆及其粘土矿物的形成机理，为绿豆岩的开发利用提供了系统的新资料。     

Mineralogy and major-element geochemistry of the lower Permian Greta Seam,Sydney Basin,Australia

The mineralogy of the high-volatile bituminous coals and associated strata from the Greta seam, Sydney Basin, Australia, has been evaluated in this study. Although the seam is not immediately overlain by marine strata, percolation of marine water into the original peat bed is indicated by the petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, which resemble those of coals with marine roof strata. The upper and lower sections of the seam have contrasting mineralogy. Pyrite typically comprises 40 to 56 wt% of the mineral assemblage in the marine-influenced upper part of the seam section. The lower part contains much less pyrite (typically <5 wt%, organic-free basis), and also relatively abundant dawsonite (up to 14 wt%, organic-free basis). The minerals within most coal plies are largely of authigenic origin. These include pyrite, siderite, clay minerals (mainly kaolinite and Na-rich mixed-layer illite/smectite), and quartz, most of which have a relatively early, syngenetic origin. Minor Ti-bearing minerals, anatase or rutile, and phosphate minerals, fluorapatite and goyazite, were probably also formed during early diagenesis. Other minerals have features that indicate late-stage precipitation. These include abundant cleat- and fracture-filling dawsonite, which may be the result of reactions between earlier-precipitated kaolinite and Na₂CO₃- or NaHCO₃-bearing fluids. Minor albite may also be epigenetic, possibly precipitated from the same Ca–Al bearing fluids that formed the dawsonite. The most abundant detrital minerals in the Greta coals are quartz, poorly ordered kaolinite, illite and mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S). These occur mainly in the floor, roof and other epiclastic horizons of the seam, reflecting periods of greater clastic influx into those parts of the original peat-forming environment. Detrital minerals are rare in the coals away from the epiclastic horizons, probably owing to almost complete sediment bypassing in the depositional system. Alternatively, any detrital minerals that were originally present may have been leached from the peat bed by diagenetic or post-diagenetic processes.     

Alterations of cretaceous siltstones and sandstones near basalt contacts (Nûgssuaq,Greenland)

The influence of the intrusion of basaltic dykes and sills was investigated on sandstones and siltstones of the Atane Formation (Turonian-Coniacian) from the Sarqaq area (Nûgssuaq peninsula, central West Greenland).In the unaltered rock sequence, the siltstones are dominated by kaolinite, quartz and feldspar. No cementation was observed. The sandstones which are prevalent in this formation are arkoses and lithic arkoses with quartz/feldspar ratios of about 1, with variable contents of rock fragments and with minor amounts of matrix. The matrix consists mainly of kaolinite, less frequently of illite-muscovite and smectite or interstratified illite-smectite. Cement minerals include calcite, Fe-calcite, both mainly in concretions, and subordinate Fe-oxide hydrates.The porosity of the sandstones and siltstones indicates a former maximum depth of burial of 1000 m in the Sarqaq region.Adjacent to thin dykes and sills (1–2 m) the above-described rocks are altered as follows. In sandstones albite (fibrous), quartzine, smectite, goethite were all formed at the expense of kaolinitic matrix, and aragonite cement. In siltstones, interstratified illite-smectite, illite, smectite and low-cristobalite replaced kaolinite. These minerals, especially smectite, exclude temperatures above 200°C; they were probably formed during a cooling period.Adjacent to thicker basalt intrusions—only sills, over 5 m thick, and no dykes are known from this area—the following alterations are observed. In sandstones two textural types of albite were formed in addition to: (1) fibrous albite mentioned above; (2) undulose lath-shaped albite; (3) coarse-twinned non-undulose replacement albite. Moreover, brownish luminescing undulose quartz, muscovite, chlorite, epidote, nontronite and anatase occur. In siltstones the mineral association muscovite-chlorite-pyrophyllite-albite occurs, suggesting temperatures in the range of 250–500°C. Additionally a 22–26 Å mixed-layer mineral (chlorite-muscovite?) formed. At the contacts of thick as well as thin basalt intrusions the detrital grains directly adjoining the basalt are partly fractured; potassium feldspar grains show also a chemical disintegration.The temperatures calculated by application of a cooling model are higher than those indicated by the mineral alterations observed. Convective heat transfer by pore water is suggested as an explanation.     

西藏羊八井地热田水热蚀变

本文对羊八井地热田钻扎ZK-201、ZK-301和ZK-308的岩心进行了较系统的蚀变矿物学、岩石学和流体包体研究。划分出6个蚀变矿物共生组合及蚀变分带,讨论了蚀变过程中岩石化学变化的特点,并推测了蚀变的温度和酸碱度条件。研究表明,热田曾处于极度的活动状态,最高温度达220-240℃,由于冷水的入侵,热田在目前钻探所及范围已冷却了50-70℃。蚀变矿物分布模式表明,目前热田流体主通道位于北部,热田进一步的开发应以寻找北部深部高温流体为主。     

华北地区京西煤田侏罗纪煤层中伊利石矿物学特征及成因

为了探讨伊利石对煤化作用和沉积环境的指示作用，以华北地区京西煤田侏罗纪煤层夹矸为研究对象，采用X射线衍射方法（XRD）和X射线荧光方法（XRF）分别测定煤层夹矸的矿物组成和化学组成，研究夹矸中伊利石矿物学特征及成因。结果表明，京西煤田侏罗纪煤层夹矸主要由伊利石、绿泥石和石英组成，其中，伊利石质量分数平均为62.92%。将XRD数据和XRF数据进行对比分析，计算得到伊利石平均化学式为（K_0.37（NH₄）_0.03）Al₂（Si_3.60Al_0.40O₁₀）（OH）₂。京西煤田煤层夹矸中伊利石主要由高岭石转化而来，伊利石的NH₄+占层间阳离子的比例具有随沉积古盐度升高而逐渐升高的趋势，n（Si）/n（Al）Ⅳ具有随煤化程度升高而逐渐降低的趋势，这表明京西煤田侏罗纪煤层夹矸中的伊利石矿物学特征对沉积环境和煤化作用具有一定的指示作用。      

Microstructures and compositional variation in the intravolcanic bole clays from the eastern Deccan volcanic province: Palaeoenvironmental implications and duration of volcanism

Clay minerals associated with intra-volcanic bole horizons of varied colours and thicknesses contain montmorillonite, halloysite and kaolinite, show distinct microstructures and microaggregates. In kaolinite, Fe³⁺ ions substitute for Al³⁺ at octahedral sites. Most of these clays are dioctahedral type, show balance between net layer and interlayer charges. The interstratified illite — smectite (I/S) mixed layers containing variable proportions of montmorillonite. Illite contains sheet-like, well oriented microaggregates. The parallel stacks of chlorite sheets show chlorite/smectite (C/S) mixed layers. Progressive enrichment of Fe and depletion of Al ions with the advancement of kaolinization process is observed. High order of structural and compositional maturity observed in these bole clays, indicate long hiatus between the two volcanic episodes.     

High chromium contents in Tertiary coal deposits of northwestern Washington — A key to their depositional history

Chromium contents obtained from 20 coal and 5 associated rock samples collected from the basal part of the Eocene Chuckanut Formation, in Skagit and Whatcom counties, northwest Washington, range between 30 and 300 ppm (mean 120 ppm whole-coal basis). The lenticular coals, ranging in rank from subbituminous to anthracite, and with an ash content of 12–46%, crop out along the western flank of the Cascade Range. Results of X-ray diffraction analysis of low-temperature ash show that the mineral matter in the coal samples consists predominantly of quartz and clay (kaolinite, illite and chlorite group). However, accessory minerals, isolated from the coal samples and analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and optical methods, contain angular fragments and euhedral crystals of the spinel group (chromite, magnetite and trevorite ), kaolinite-serpentine group (antigorite and chrysotile), chlorite group, amphibole group and pyroxene group minerals (augite, diopside and enstatite), all of which are commonly enriched in chromium.Although associated primarily with the inorganic fraction of the coal, concentrations of chromium in the samples show no statistically significant correlation with ash content. Localized concentrations of chromium in the coal are the result of natural contamination from the alteration of detrital chromium-bearing mineral grains introduced into the peat-forming mires from nearby Jurassic ophiolite bodies. The coals formed in the early Eocene, in rapidly subsiding small basins that developed during the uplift and erosion of the pre-Tertiary ophiolite terrain. Scattered bodies of source rock, random distribution of chromium-bearing minerals within the coal and sample heterogeneity account for the variation in Cr contents of the samples.     

Preliminary investigation on the metamorphism of Chinese coals

The fact that most Chinese coals are of a relatively high degree of coalification indicates that the metamorphism of Chinese coals has its own characteristics. As contact metamorphism and dynamic metamorphism have influenced the coals only to a restricted extent, they are not the causes of this distinguishing feature. Though geothermal metamorphism of coal occurs universally in China, the maximum subsidence as reflected by the thickness of coal measures and their overlying rock series is so small that the palaeo-temperature to which most Chinese coals were subjected was low and only low-ranking coals were formed. Hence, geothermal metamorphism is also not the principal cause of the higher ranking Chinese coals. Next to temperature, time is an important factor in geothermal metamorphism; the degree of coalification is dependent on the temperature and duration of heating that the coal has undergone.It is inferred that palaeogeothermal anomalies ought to be held responsible for most of the higher ranking Chinese coals. They are principally caused by magmatic intrusions, or by deep-seated faults, or by the uplift of the Moho with the corresponding uplift of the asthenosphere, and these three causes are interrelated. Telemagmatic metamorphism has so widely influenced Chinese coals that it accounts mainly for the majority of higher-rank Chinese coals. Consequently Chinese coals have first and universally been coalified by geothermal alteration to lower rank and then partially promoted by telemagmatic metamorphism to medium and high ranks. Based upon the patterns of magmatic intrusions and associated hydrothermal processes, the telemagmatic metamorphism of Chinese coals can be tentatively divided into the following types: (1) type a, produced mainly by hypabyssal or meso-epimagmatic intrusions; (2) type b, produced mainly by hydrothermalism from blind intrusive bodies; (3) type c, produced mainly by mesoepimagmatic and epimagmatic intrusions; and (4) type d, produced mainly by hydrothermalism and epimagmatic intrusions. Characteristics of coalification zones, wall rocks and coal itself may be used as criteria to differentiate the telemagmatic metamorphism from other kinds of metamorphism. Magmatic activities which caused the telemagmatic metamorphism and its extent are controlled by structural systems, especially by the latitudinal structural systems and other structural systems associated with the former.     

鄂尔多斯盆地东缘泥质岩黏土矿物特征及其地质意义

为研究鄂尔多斯盆地东缘石炭-二叠纪古气候特征及其与成煤作用之间的关系,利用X射线衍射（XRD）及扫描电子显微镜（SEM）对研究区石炭-二叠系泥质岩中的黏土矿物组成及其环境意义进行分析。结果显示,区内泥质岩中黏土矿物主要以高岭石、伊利石/蒙皂石混层矿物为主,次为伊利石和绿泥石。黏土矿物的垂向组合特征表现为:高岭石在桥头剖面、扒楼沟剖面和成家庄剖面山西组,桥头剖面太原组底部、成家庄剖面太原组上部及本溪组中部含量偏高。伊利石在各个剖面的山西组中含量较高,绿泥石仅在山西组中上部、太原组下部含量较高。扫描电镜下黏土矿物晶体形态规则,未见明显磨蚀痕迹,伊利石结晶度为0.42°△2θ~0.63°△2θ,平均值为0.47°△2θ,结晶度较好,混层比相对质量分数平均值25.1%,表现为自生黏土矿物。根据自生黏土矿物的习性指出研究区古气候总体表现为温暖潮湿、间或在太原组早期和山西组中-晚期伴有短周期干冷气候。古气候与沉积环境两者相互印证指示聚煤作用强度的变化过程,是控制研究区内聚煤作用的关键因素。      

Selected elements in major minerals from bituminous coal as determined by INAA: implications for removing environmentally sensitive elements from coal

The four most abundant minerals generally found in Euramerican bituminous coals are quartz, kaolinite, illite and pyrite. These four minerals were isolated by density separation and handpicking from bituminous coal samples collected in the Ruhr Basin, Germany and the Appalachian basin, U.S.A. Trace-element concentrations of relatively pure ( 99⁺%) separates of major minerals from these coals were determined directly by using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). As expected, quartz contributes little to the trace-element mass balance. Illite generally has higher trace-element concentrations than kaolinite, but, for the concentrates analyzed in this study, Hf, Ta, W, Th and U are in lower concentrations in illite than in kaolinite. Pyrite has higher concentrations of chalcophile elements (e.g., As and Se) and is considerably lower in lithophile elements as compared to kaolinite and illite. Our study provides a direct and sensitive method of determining trace-element relationships with minerals in coal.Mass-balance calculations suggest that the trace-element content of coal can be explained mainly by three major minerals: pyrite, kaolinite and illite. This conclusion indicates that the size and textural relationships of these major coal minerals may be a more important consideration as to whether coal cleaning can effectively remove the most environmentally sensitive trace elements in coal than what trace minerals are present.     

Normative mineral composition of high-temperature coal ashes from the Sydney basin coalfields,Australia

Chemical differences in the composition of high-temperature coal ashes of major economic seams of the Sydney Basin were studied using a normative analysis. All chemical data were recalculated to normative mineral assemblages consisting of: quartz, kaolinite and illite. Quartz and clay minerals, the principal constituents of mineral matter occurring in coals, account for most of the variations found in the chemical composition of high-temperature coal ashes between seams of various stratigraphic levels and/or geographic locations. Ternary diagrams based on the quantitative relation of quartz, kaolinite and illite were used to demonstrate these differences.     

Mineralogical and elemental variation of coal from Alberta, Canada: an example from the No. 2 seam, Genesee Mine

Mineralogy and elemental contents were determined on 18 samples from a vertical profile of the No. 2 seam, Genesee mine, AB. The samples analyzed consist of coal, coaly shale, shaly coal, carbonaceous shale, shale, mudstone and siltstone. Proximate analysis was determined on all samples. Elemental analyses were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for all elements except As, B, Cd, Hg, Mo, Pb, Se (Atomic Absorption) and B, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Nb, Sr and V (inductively coupled plasma-emission spectroscopy, ICP-ES). Samples were low temperature ashed (LTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were used to determine quantitative major mineralogy. Accessory mineralogy was determined with Scannining Electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM/EDX) on four samples. In general, the coals in the Genesee mine are within the low end of the range for trace element contents given by Swaine [Swaine, D.J., 1990. Trace Elements in Coal. Butterworths, London, 278 pp.] for most coals. High contents of Cr (9–2620 ppm) and Ni (1–1440 ppm) can be related to an increased amount of a Cr–Ni–Fe oxide (chromite–magnetite?) likely derived from ultrabasic diatremes in the Golden-Columbia Icefields, BC area. The No. 2 seam of the Genesee mine can be divided into two geochemical cycles on the basis of mineralogy, trace element contents and rare earth element (REE) behavior. Cycle I consists of quartz, calcite and kaolinite, lower trace element contents, REE slightly enriched in high rare earth elements (HREE), and thick coal with few partings. Cycle II consists of quartz, calcite, kaolinite, illite, mixed layer and/or expandable lattice clays, feldspar, gypsum, calcium aluminum sulfate hydrate, clinoptilolite, calcite and diopside, higher trace element contents, REE slightly enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE) and thin coal with a greater frequency of partings. The differences between the two geochemical cycles can be accounted for by a decreasing stability of the peat-forming environment resulting from an increasing fluvial influence and volcanogenic input.     

On the effects of petrographic composition on coalbed methane sorption

The effect of petrographic composition on the methane sorption capacity has been determined for a suite of coals and organic-rich shales. Subbituminous and bituminous coals were separated into bright and dull lithotypes by hand-picking. The methane sorption capacities range between 0.5 and 23.9 cm³/g at a pressure of 6 MPa. The low volatile bituminous Canmore coal and the anthracite sample have the highest capacities with the “natural coke” having the lowest. For low-rank coals there is no significant difference between bright and dull samples except for one coal with the dull sample having a greater sorption capacity than its bright equivalent. For higher-rank coals, the bright samples have a greater methane capacity than the dull samples and the difference between sample pairs increases with rank. The boghead coal samples have the highest sorption capacities in the liptinite-rich coals suite and are higher than subbituminous to medium volatile bituminous samples. Pore size distribution indicates that methane is held as solution gas in liptinite-rich coals and by physical sorption in micropores in liptinite-poor coals. These contrasting processes illustrate that liptinite-rich samples need to be independently assessed. The positive relationship between reactive inertinite content and methane sorption capacity occurs within the subbituminous to medium volatile bituminous coals because the reactive inertinite is structurally similar to vitrinite and have a higher microporosity than non-reactive inertinite. Reactivity of inertinite should be assessed in CBM studies of dull coals to provide a better understanding of petrographic composition effects on methane capacity.     

Tribo-electrostatic behaviour of high ash non-coking Indian thermal coal

The tribo-electrostatic method was applied to beneficiate non-coking Indian thermal coal from Ramagundam coal mines containing nearly 45% ash content. The microscopic studies revealed that quartz and kaolinite are the dominant minerals whereas illite, goethite, siderite and pyrite are the minor inclusions in the coal. Contact electrification of ash-forming minerals and coal matter was carried out using different tribo-charger materials of Al, Cu, brass, perspex and teflon. The Cu tribo-charger was found to be optimum to acquire differential charge between ash-forming inorganics and coal matter. The temperature effect on the magnitude of contact charge acquisition was found to be significant. Tests on a laboratory in-house built tribo-electrostatic free-fall separator with minus 300 μm coal showed that the ash content was reduced from 45% to about 18%, and a clean coal product as judged by the washability studies can be obtained. The results illustrate that the non-coking coals can be beneficiated using the scientific knowledge on the response and behaviour of coal and non-coal matters to electric charges.