A study on carbon dioxide emissions from bituminous coal in Korea

Consumption of primary energy in Korea increased 5.25 % per year over a 10 years span starting in 1990. Korea ranked 8th in primary energy consumption in 2011; coal consumption increased 35 % from 87,827 million tons in 2006–119,321 tons in 2010. Heavy energy-consuming countries consistently conduct research to develop an emission factor of Tier 2 level, reflecting the characteristics of the fuel that they use. To calculate the emission factor of bituminous coal for fuel, this study developed emission factor and calculated emission amount by implementing fuel analysis on bituminous coal consumed in Korea between 2007 and 2009. CO₂ emission factor calculated by fuel analysis method is 95,315 kg/TJ, which is 0.75 % higher than the default value suggested by IPCC. The emission amount calculated by using the CO₂ emission factor in this study is 231.881 million tons, which has a difference of 1.739 million tons compared to the IPCC default value.     

Milestones in the evolution of the atmosphere with reference to climate change

The history of life on Earth is critically dependent on the carbon, sulfur and oxygen cycles of the lithosphere – hydrosphere – atmosphere – biosphere system. An Archean oxygen-poor greenhouse atmosphere developed through: (i) accumulation of CO₂ and CH₄ from episodic injections of CO₂ from volcanic activity, volatilised crust impacted by asteroids and comets, metamorphic devolatilisation processes and release of methane from sediments; and (ii) little CO₂ weathering-capture due to both high temperatures of the hydrosphere (low CO₂ solubility) and a low ratio of exposed continents to oceans. In the wake of the Sturtian glaciation, enrichment in oxygen and appearance of multicellular eukaryotes heralded the onset of the Phanerozoic where greenhouse conditions were interrupted by periods of strong CO₂-sequestration through intensified capture of CO₂ by marine plants, onset of land plants and burial of carbonaceous shale and coal (Late Ordovician; Carboniferous – Permian; Late Jurassic; Late Tertiary – Quaternary). The progression from Late Mesozoic and Early Tertiary greenhouse conditions to Late Tertiary – Quaternary ice ages was related to the sequestration of CO₂ by rapid weathering of the emerging Alpine and Himalayan mountain chains. A number of peak warming and sea-level-rise events include the Late Oligocene, mid-Miocene, mid-Pliocene and Pleistocene glacial terminations. The Late Tertiary – Quaternary ice ages were dominated by cyclic orbital-forcing-triggered terminations which involved CO₂-feedback effects from warming seas and the biosphere and albedo flips due to ice-sheet melting. Since ca AD 1750 human emissions were ～305 Gt of carbon, as compared with ～750 Gt C in the atmosphere. The emissions constitute ～12% of the terrestrial biosphere and ～10% of the known global fossil fuel reserve of ～4000 Gt C, whose combustion would compare to the ～ 4600 Gt C released to the atmosphere during the K – T impact event 65 million years ago, with associated ～65% mass extinction of species. The current growth rate of atmospheric greenhouse gases and global mean temperatures exceed those of Pleistocene glacial terminations by one to two orders of magnitude. The relationship between temperatures and sea-levels for the last few million years project future sea-level rises toward time-averaged values of at least 5 m per 1°C. The instability of ice sheets suggested by the Dansgaard – Oeschinger glacial cycles during 50 – 20 ka, observed ice melt lag effects of glacial terminations, spring ice collapse dynamics and the doubling per-decade of Greenland and west Antarctic ice melt suggest that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's projected sea-level rises (<59 cm) for the 21st century may be exceeded. The biological and philosophical rationale underlying climate change and mass extinction perpetrated by an intelligent carbon-emitting mammal species may never be known.     

华北石炭—二叠系煤的孔渗特征及主控因素

煤的低孔、低渗问题已经成为制约我国煤层气勘探和开发的关键问题之一。选取华北河东、渭北、阳泉、晋城、大同和两淮等6个煤田,通过煤岩学特征测试、微裂隙分析和低温氮孔隙结构分析,对该区煤的孔渗发育特征及其控制机理进行了系统研究。华北地区煤的孔隙度在2%～10%之间,孔隙度的大小主要受3次煤化作用跃变所控制,在Ro,r约为1.2%附近达到最小值。矿物充填作用在一定程度上降低了煤的孔隙度。华北地区煤的渗透率一般都在5×10-3μm2以下,渗透率与孔隙度呈显著的幂指数关系。无烟煤以微孔为主,孔隙度都在6%以下,渗透率的大小主要取决于裂隙的发育程度;而中低煤级煤的渗透率不仅受裂隙影响,也受煤中各级孔隙发育的影响较大。     

Methane and carbon dioxide sorption on a set of coals from India

Complete sorption isotherm characteristics of methane and CO₂ were studied on fourteen sub-bituminous to high-volatile bituminous Indian Gondwana coals. The mean vitrinite reflectance values of the coal samples are within the range of 0.64% to 1.30% with varying maceral composition. All isotherms were conducted at 30 °C on dry, powdered coal samples up to a maximum experimental pressure of ~ 7.8 MPa and 5.8 MPa for methane and CO₂, respectively.The nature of the isotherms varied widely within the experimental pressure range with some of the samples remained under-saturated while the others attained saturation. The CO₂ to methane adsorption ratios decreased with the increase in experimental pressure and the overall variation was between 4:1 and 1.5:1 for most of the coals. For both methane and CO₂, the lower-ranked coal samples generally exhibited higher sorption affinity compared to the higher-ranked coals. However, sorption capacity indicates a U-shaped trend with rank. Significant hysteresis was observed between the ad/desorption isotherms for CO₂. However, with methane, hysteresis was either absent or insignificant. It was also observed that the coal maceral compositions had a significant impact on the sorption capacities for both methane and CO₂. Coals with higher vitrinite contents showed higher capacities while internite content indicated a negative impact on the sorption capacity.     

Catalytic hydrothermal carbonization of invasive macrophyte Hornwort (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratophyllum demersum</Emphasis>) for production of hydrochar: a potential biofuel

Biofuels are environment friendly and economical. First-generation biofuels are made from sugar, starch and vegetable oils, and have an impact on food security, while second generation biofuels are generated from plant or algal material and are greener and sustainable. The present work focused on lab-scale application of hydrothermal carbonization to convert aquatic weed Ceratophyllum demersum into a second-generation biofuel—hydrochar. Hydrothermal carbonization has been carried out with and without catalysts in a high-pressure reactor under subcritical temperatures 240–320 °C, residence times 10–40 min and biomass to water dilution ratios varying from 1:4 to 1:12. Under noncatalytic conditions higher heating value and energy density were highest, 24.11 MJ/kg and 1.64 respectively at temperature of 300 °C and residence time of 30 min. The calorific value of noncatalytic hydrochar was enhanced further, respectively, to 29.0, 27.5 and 26.48 MJ/kg by catalysts KOH, Na₂CO₃ and acetic acid. Catalytic hydrochar had H/C and O/C atomic ratios of same order as that of high-rank bituminous coal. Van Krevelen diagram indicated KOH to be better catalyst followed by Na₂CO₃ and acetic acid. Hydrochar yield of 38% obtained in noncatalytic hydrothermal carbonization decreased with catalysts in following order; acetic acid > Na₂CO₃ > KOH, however, energy density was enhanced in order KOH > Na₂CO₃ > acetic acid. The research can prove a way forward in the direction of meeting part of global energy demand. At the same time, the problem of secondary pollution caused by piling up and decay of aquatic weeds will also be addressed to.     

Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas thermal power plants using life cycle approach

The importance of mitigation of climate change due to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from various developmental and infrastructure projects has generated interest at global level to reduce environmental impacts. Life cycle assessment may be used as a tool to assess GHG emissions and subsequent environmental impacts resulting from electricity generation from thermal power plants. This study uses life cycle approach for assessing GHG emissions and their impacts due to natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) and imported coal thermal power plants using the IPCC 2001 and Eco-Indicator 99(H) methods in India for the first time. The total GHG emission from the NGCC thermal power plant was 584 g CO₂ eq/kWh electricity generation, whereas in case of imported coal, it was 1,127 g CO₂ eq/kWh electricity generation. This shows that imported coal has nearly ~2 times more impacts when compared to natural gas in terms of global warming potential and human health as disability-adjusted life years from climate change due to GHG emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O).     

A review of coal properties pertinent to carbon dioxide sequestration in coal seams: with special reference to Victorian brown coals

This paper presents reviews of studies on properties of coal pertinent to carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration in coal with specific reference to Victorian brown coals. The coal basins in Victoria, Australia have been identified as one of the largest brown coal resources in the world and so far few studies have been conducted on CO₂ sequestration in this particular type of coals. The feasibility of CO₂ sequestration depends on three main factors: (1) coal mass properties (chemical, physical and microscopic properties), (2) seam permeability, and (3) gas sorption properties of the coal. Firstly, the coal mass properties of Victorian brown coal are presented, and then the general variations of the coal mass properties with rank, for all types of coal, are discussed. Subsequently, coal gas permeability and gas sorption are considered, and the physical factors which affect them are examined. In addition, existing models for coal gas permeability and gas sorption in coal are reviewed and the possibilities of further development of these models are discussed. According to the previous studies, coal mass properties and permeability and gas sorption characteristics of coals are different for different ranks: lignite to medium volatile bituminous coals and medium volatile bituminous to anthracite coals. This is important for the development of mathematical models for gas permeability and sorption behavior. Furthermore, the models have to take into account volume effect which can be significant under high pressure and temperature conditions. Also, the viscosity and density of supercritical CO₂ close to the critical point can undergo large and rapid changes. To date, few studies have been conducted on CO₂ sequestration in Victorian brown coal, and for all types of coal, very few studies have been conducted on CO₂ sequestration under high pressure and temperature conditions.     

液氮溶浸对不同煤阶含水煤样渗流特性的影响

中国包含多种煤阶煤层,由于煤质、地质条件等差异,不同煤层中的水分赋存情况也具有较大差异性。煤阶、饱水度作为影响液氮低温致裂效果的两个重要因素,有必要对其进行深入研究。为此,分别选择褐煤、烟煤与无烟煤3种煤阶煤样,并制备得出饱水度分别为0%、33%与99%的煤样进行液氮溶浸处理,使用摄像机定点拍摄、观察煤样表面宏观裂隙处理前后的演化规律,并对煤样进行氮气渗流试验。试验结果表明：液氮溶浸后褐煤因产生的一条与多条贯穿裂隙发生整体结构上的断裂,烟煤表面有新裂隙产生,原生宏观裂隙有一定的扩展与延伸,无烟煤表面宏观裂隙无明显发育;煤样饱水度越高,液氮的致裂增透效果越显著;液氮溶浸对3种煤阶煤样的致裂增透效果关系为：褐煤>烟煤>无烟煤,在完全干燥状态下,由于热应力不足以破坏颗粒间链接,烟煤与无烟煤的增透效果近似相等;对于褐煤,液氮溶浸处理对完全干燥状态下的煤体即产生有效致裂,渗透率平均增幅高达559.35%,对于烟煤,在饱水度为33%和99%的状态下,液氮溶浸对煤体具有明显致裂效果,渗透率平均增幅分别为330.60%和448.77%,对于无烟煤,在饱水度为99%的状态下液氮溶浸处理才能对煤体产生有效致裂,渗透率平均增幅为185.53%。     

民用蜂窝煤燃烧排放颗粒物的化学组成和稳定碳同位素特征

本文选用了镜质组反射率在0.77%-1.88%之间5 种不同成熟度的煤, 将其制成民用蜂窝煤球, 研究民用蜂窝煤燃烧排放颗粒物（PM）的化学组成, 包括元素（C、N、O、S）、有机碳（OC）、元素碳（EC）和水溶性无机离子（WSII）, 稳定碳同位素组成特征和质量吸收效率值（MAE）, 并讨论了它们与煤成熟度之间的关系.结果表明, 5 种原煤C、N、O、S 元素组成差别不大, 但是燃烧后排放的PM 化学组成差别比较大.无烟煤燃烧排放的PM 粒径分布呈双峰结构, 峰值分别在0.09 μm 和0.25 μm; 而烟煤PM 的峰值为0.58 μm.无烟煤排放PM 的颗粒数远小于烟煤.PM、OC 和EC 的排放受煤成熟度的影响非常大, 无烟煤排放的量最小, 分别为2.21 g/kg、0.22 g/kg 和0.004 g/kg; 成熟度最低的烟煤排放量最大, 分别为70.3 g/kg 、46.1 g/kg 和2.42 g/kg.PM、OC 和EC 的排放因子与煤的成熟度成幂指数关系.EC 的MAE 在0.17-21.9 m^2/g 之间, 与煤成熟度呈指数相关关系.燃煤WSII 的平均排放因子为801 mg/kg, WSII 当中含量最高的是NH4^＋ 和24SO4^2- , 平均分别占WSII总量的23.5%和44.4%.燃煤排放PM 的δ^13C 变化范围为–24.5‰-–22.8‰, 平均值为–23.6‰.以上研究有助于人们从原煤性质的角度去考察民用燃煤对人类健康和气候变化的影响, 并为大气污染源解析提供一些科学依据.     

Short-term greenhouse emission lowering effect of biochars from solid organic municipal wastes

Qatar economy has been growing rapidly during the last two decades during which waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions increased exponentially making them among the main environmental challenges facing the country. Production of biochar from municipal solid organic wastes (SOWs) for soil application may offer a sustainable waste management strategy while improving crop productivity and sequestering carbon. This study was conducted to (1) investigate the physicochemical parameters of biochars for SOW, (2) select the best-performing biochars for soil fertility, and (3) evaluate the potential benefits of these biochars in lowering greenhouse gases (GHGs) during soil incubation. Biochars were produced from SOW at pyrolysis temperatures of 300–750 °C and residence times of 2–6 h. Biochars were characterized before use in soil incubation to select the best-performing treatment and evaluation of potential GHG-lowering effect using CO₂ emission as proxy. Here, soil–biochar mixtures (0–2%w/w) were incubated in greenhouse settings for 120 days at 10% soil moisture. Soil properties, such as pH, EC, TC, and WHC, were significantly improved after soil amendment with biochar. Two biochars produced from mixed materials at 300–500 °C for 2 h and used at 0.5–1% application rate performed the best in enhancing soil fertility parameters. A significant decrease in CO₂ emission was observed in vials with soil–biochar mixtures, especially for biochars produced at 500 °C compared the corresponding raw materials which exhibited an exponential increase in the CO₂ emission. Hence, application of biochar to agricultural soils could be beneficial for simultaneously improving soil fertility/crop productivity while sequestering carbon, thereby reducing anthropogenic emissions of GHGs.     

Climate changes in Central Europe projected by general circulation models

The paper is based on recent climate simulations provided by the leading world climate centres and available through the Data Distribution Centre of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Seven models have been considered. Three experiments: control, and two integrations for different greenhouse gases emission scenarios have been analysed. Assessments have been made for the European window defined as 5–40° E, 40–60° N. The paper presents some selected results for the air surface temperature and precipitation. This is not a study on evaluation of models, detailed intercomparisons between models can be found in other works (e.g., Barnett, 1999; Boer and Lambert, 2000; Lambert and Boer, 2001), as well as on Internet (e.g., a web-site of the Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison¹). The intention of the authors was to show examples of analyses made specifically for the Central European region. For the reason of technical limitations of the paper only some results can be presented. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

地球科学与碳中和：现状与发展方向

碳中和是当前世界关注的热点,地球科学可以在其中发挥很大的作用。在国际上,政府间气候变化专门委员会、国际能源署、能源转型委员会,以及在国家层面,政策咨询小组已就CO_2减排可能的实现方式提出了一系列模型和预测情景,表明要实现碳中和,电将代替化石燃料成为全球能源的主要载体。在全球迫切需要减排的背景下,地球科学为实现《巴黎协定》气候目标提供地质解决方案至关重要,主要科学问题涉及:储热与地热;干热岩;水电储能;压缩空气储能;核能;碳捕集与储存;氢经济;能源转型需要的矿产原材料。这就需要地球科学:一是对岩石进行地球化学和地质体的岩石力学特征描述,以便在可能开展脱碳的地区储存CO_2和建立绿色能源系统;二是进一步揭示电动汽车电池和风力涡轮机等所需矿产资源的起源和成因;三是从小型实验室尺度扩大到试点、工业化和商业化全尺度规模;四是要了解公众对地下脱碳技术的态度,保证项目安全性。碳中和目标为地球科学研究提供了新的机遇,未来发展需要从多方面提供支持;提高对地球科学在实现脱碳方面关键作用的认识,并发展技术,打造产业链,实现可持续发展。     

The effect of alkalis and polymerization on the solubility of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in alkali-rich silicate melts

The effect of alkalis on the solubility of H₂O and CO₂ in alkali-rich silicate melts was investigated at 500 MPa and 1,250 °C in the systems with H₂O/(H₂O + CO₂) ratio varying from 0 to 1. Using a synthetic analog of phonotephritic magma from Alban Hills (AH1) as a base composition, the Na/(Na + K) ratio was varied from 0.28 (AH1) to 0.60 (AH2) and 0.85 (AH3) at roughly constant total alkali content. The obtained results were compared with the data for shoshonitic and latitic melts having similar total alkali content but different structural characteristics, e.g., NBO/T parameter (the ratio of non-bridging oxygens over tetrahedrally coordinated cations), as those of the AH compositions. Little variation was observed in H₂O solubility (melt equilibrated with pure H₂O fluid) for the whole compositional range in this study with values ranging between 9.7 and 10.2 wt. As previously shown, the maximum CO₂ content in melts equilibrated with CO₂-rich fluids increases strongly with the NBO/T from 0.29 wt % for latite (NBO/T = 0.17) to 0.45 wt % for shoshonite (NBO/T = 0.38) to 0.90 wt % for AH2 (NBO/T = 0.55). The highest CO₂ contents determined for AH3 and AH1 are 1.18 ± 0.05 wt % and 0.86 ± 0.12 wt %, respectively, indicating that Na is promoting carbonate incorporation stronger than potassium. At near constant NBO/T, CO₂ solubility increases from 0.86 ± 0.12 wt % in AH1 [Na/(Na + K)] = 0.28, to 1.18 ± 0.05 wt % in AH3 [Na/(Na + K)] = 0.85, suggesting that Na favors CO₂ solubility on an equimolar basis. An empirical equation is proposed to predict the maximum CO₂ solubility at 500 MPa and 1,100–1,300 °C in various silicate melts as a function of the NBO/T, (Na + K)/∑cations and Na/(Na + K) parameters: \({\text{wt}}\% \;{\text{CO}}_{2} = - 0.246 + 0.014\exp \left( {6.995 \cdot \frac{\text{NBO}}{T}} \right) + 3.150 \cdot \frac{{{\text{Na}} + {\text{K}}}}{{\varSigma {\text{cations}}}} + 0.222 \cdot \frac{\text{Na}}{{{\text{Na}} + {\text{K}}}}.\) This model is valid for melt compositions with NBO/T between 0.0 and 0.6, (Na + K)/∑cation between 0.08 and 0.36 and Na/(Na + K) ratio from 0.25 to 0.95 at oxygen fugacities around the quartz–fayalite–magnetite buffer and above.     

Methane oxidation capacity of methanotrophs isolated from different soil ecosystems

Methane is one of the potential greenhouse gases contributing to global climate change, with a global warming potential of about 25 times than that of carbon dioxide. Aerobic methane oxidation (methanotrophy) is the key process that counteracts emission of methane to atmosphere. In this study, methane oxidation capacity of different methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) isolated from six different ecosystems was investigated. Methanotrophic consortium isolated from dumpsite proved to be most effective in oxidizing methane. Initially, methane oxidation rate was found to be 0.72 ± 0.036 mM/day; in course of the study consortium M5 showed an increase in methane oxidation rate up to 1.7 ± 0.016 mM/day. A maximum of 0.78 mol of CO₂ production was found during methane oxidation in methanotrophs from dumpsite (M5). While varying temperatures, methane oxidation rate was in the range of 1.3–1.7 mM/day which has been found in the temperature range of 30–40 °C. Even at higher temperature (50 °C), 0.076 ± 0.14 mM of the methane was utilized per day. Methane oxidation was assessed by Michaelis–Menten kinetics. By varying the methane concentration, methane oxidation was studied and kinetic parameters such as V _max and K _m were derived using Lineweaver–Burk plot and found to be 1.497 mM/day and 2.23 mM, respectively. In methane mitigation approach, Methane soil sink is very essential because a balance between methane production by methanogens and consumption by methanotrophs plays an important role in methane emission reduction. Enhancing the methane soil sink will be a cost-effective method to cut down methane emission.     

Annual soil CO2 efflux in a wet meadow during active layer freeze–thaw changes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Soil CO₂ efflux from an ecosystem responds to the active layer thawing depth (H) significantly. A Li-8100 system was used to monitor the CO₂ exchange from a wet meadow ecosystem during a freeze–thaw cycle of the active layer in a permafrost region on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. An exponential regression equation ( $ F_{\text{soil\, flux}} = 1.84e^{0.023H} + 5.06\,R^{2} = 0.96 $ ) has been established on the basis of observed soil CO₂ efflux versus the thawed soil thickness. Using this equation, the total soil CO₂ efflux during an annual freeze–thaw cycle has been calculated to be approximately 8.18 × 10¹⁰ mg C. The results suggest that freeze–thaw cycles in the active layer play an important role in soil CO₂ emissions and that thawed soil thickness is the major factor controlling CO₂ fluxes from the wet meadow ecosystem in permafrost regions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It can be concluded that with active layer thickening due to permafrost degradation, massive amounts of soil carbon would be emitted as greenhouse gases, and the permafrost region would become a carbon source with a positive feedback effect on climate warming. Hence, more attention should be paid to the influences of the active layer changes on soil carbon emission from these permafrost regions.     

Spatio-temporal variations of respirable particles at residential areas located in the vicinity of opencast coal projects,India: a case study

The objective of the study is to investigate spatio-temporal variations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁ concentrations at seven residential sites, located in the vicinity of opencast coal projects, Basundhara Garjanbahal Area (BGA), India. Meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, and temperature were collected simultaneously with PM concentrations. Mean concentrations of PM₁₀ in the range 215 ± 169–526 ± 412 μg m^?3, PM_2.5 in the range of 91 ± 79–297 ± 107 μg m^?3, PM₁ in the range of 68 ± 60–247 ± 84 μg m^?3 were obtained. Coarse fractions (PM_2.5–10) varied from 27 to 58% whereas fine fractions (PM_1–2.5 and PM₁) varied in the range of 51–73%. PM_2.5 concentration was 41–74% of PM₁₀ concentration, PM₁ concentration was 31–62% of PM₁₀ concentration, and PM₁ concentration was 73–83% of PM_2.5 concentration. Role of meteorology on PM concentrations was assessed using correlation analysis. Linear relationships were established among PM concentrations using least square regression analysis. With the aid of principal component analysis, two components were drawn out of eight variables, which represent more than 75% of variance. The results indicated that major sources of air pollutants (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, PM₁, CO, CO₂) at the residential sites are road dust raised by vehicular movement, spillage of coal generated during transportation, spontaneous combustion of coal, and biomass burning in village area.     

The role of shear strain in the graphitization of a high-volatile bituminous and an anthracitic coal

A ‘soft’ carbon-based high-volatile bituminous (R_{o max}=0.68%) coal and a ‘hard’ carbon-based Pennsylvania anthracite (R_{o max}=5.27%) were deformed in the steady state at high temperatures and pressures in a series of coaxial and simple shear deformation experiments designed to constrain the role of shear strain and strain energy in the graphitization process. Tests were carried out in a Griggs-t type solid (NaCl) medium apparatus at T=400–900°C, constant displacement rates of 10^-5−10^-6 s⁻¹, at confining pressures of 0.6 GPa (coaxial) or 0.8 and 1.0 GPa (simple shear). Coaxial samples were shortened up to 50%, whereas shear strains up to 4.9 were attained in simple shear tests. Experiments lasted up to 118 h. Deformed, high-volatile bituminous coal was extensively coked and no correlation between strain and R_{o max}, bireflectance or coal texture was observed in any samples. With increasing temperature, R_{o max} and bireflectance increase in highly anisotropic, coarse mosaic units, but remain essentially constant in the fine granular mosaic, which becomes more abundant at higher temperatures. Graphite-like reflectances are observed locally only in highly reactive macerals and in pyrolytic carbon veins. The degree of molecular ordering attained in deformed bituminous coal samples appears to be determined by the heating-pressurization path rather than by subsequent deformation.Graphitization did not occur in coaxially deformed anthracite. Nonetheless, dramatic molecular ordering occurs at T>700°C, with average bireflectance values increasing from 1.68% at 700°C to 6.36% at 900°C. Anisotropy is greatest in zones of high strain at all temperatures. In anthracite samples deformed in simple shear over the 600–900°C range at 1.0 GPa, the average R_{o max} values increase up to 11.9%, whereas average bireflectance values increase up to 10.7%. Bireflectance increases with progressive bedding rotation and, thus, with increasing shear strain. Graphitization occurs in several anthracite samples deformed in simple shear at 900°C. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy of highly anisotropic material in one sample confirms the presence of graphite with d₀₀₂=0.3363 nm. These data strongly suggest that shear strain, through its tendency to align basic structural units, is the factor responsible for the natural transformation of anthracite to graphite at temperatures far below the 2200°C required in hydrostatic heating experiments at ambient pressure.     

Liptinite as an indicator of environmental changes during formation of coal seam No. 207 (Upper Silesia, Poland)

The coal seam No. 207 was a subject of palynological and petrographic studies. According to the results of the vitrinite random reflectance measurements supplemented by moisture and calorific value determinations, the rank of this coal is matching the boundary between sub-bituminous and bituminous coals. The aim was to reconstruct the environmental conditions during the biochemical stage of seam formation, as well as the facies development throughout the seam profile. The maceral (incident and fluorescence mode) and microlithotype compositions (incident light) supplemented by palynological analyses, show that there were two main facies developments. In the authors opinion, they correspond with a phase of ombrogenous, raised bog marked by the presence of crassidurite with Densosporites variabilis and a wet-forest swamp phase represented by vitrite and clarite with more diverse spore assemblage including densospores. Other minor but distinctive sediments, a cannel layer and a reeds facies, both occurring in the lower part of the seam. Above the tonstein horizon, a dry forest type of sedimentation is recognized.     

The occurrence of anthracites in an area characterized by lower rank coals in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin of Poland

The results of petrographical-geological and chemical examinations on anthracites, semianthracites and medium-low volatile bituminous coals from Jastrzebie in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin of Poland are presented. The coking coals mined in this region exhibit volatile matter V^daf = 18–26%, free swelling index FSI = 3–8 and reflectance R_m = 1.10–1.35% and are inertiniterich coals (I = 25–63%).Coal Seam 504 of the Anticlinal beds (Namurian B) has been affected by thermal metamorphism and contains both coking coals and coals of higher rank. According to the criterion of Polish Standards this coal seam varies from anthracite (V^daf <10%) to semianthracite (V^daf = 10–14%) in rank. The carbon content is slightly lower and the hydrogen content a little higher than those of typical anthracites and semianthracites. The reflectance values (R_m = 1.56–2.62%) are generally lower than the R_m values proposed by the International Committee for Coal Petrology as boundary values for anthracites and bituminous coal. The magnitude of anisotropy and microhardness were also examined. Examinations of optical properties prove that the metamorphism exhibited by the coals is the result of elevated temperature and variable pressure. The analyses of the maceral composition indicate that there is a decrease in the inertinite content in anthracites. Vitrinite exhibits the features of thermally altered coal. The micrinite content shows a little variation. In coking coals, a strongly fluorescing bituminous substance with the optical features of exsudatinite was found. The constructed geological section of Coal Seam 504 shows distinct regular changes in chemical and physical properties as well as the petrographic composition which may be caused by the heat flux of a magma intrusion, not localized so far.