The Ruhr coal basin (Germany): structural evolution of an autochthonous foreland basin

The Ruhr coal basin is part of the external fold and thrust belt of the Variscan orogen in Central Europe. Information from extensive coal mining, outcrops in the south of the Ruhr district, reflection seismic surveys and about 800 exploration boreholes in the north, support the interpretation of a mostly molasse-type sequence, more than 6000 m thick, of Namurian and Westphalian age. Both the southwest-northeast trending sedimentary basin structures and the fold structures of the Ruhr Carboniferous were caused by the compressive regime of the Variscan folding in its hinterland, but there is no direct relationship between sedimentary basin structures and the later folding structures. Coal formation started in the Namurian C, reached its maximum during the Westphalian A and B and ended during the Westphalian D. In total, about 250 coal seams were formed, but only 50 of them are of economic importance at present.Strata thicknesses and coal content are generally greater in the southeast of the Ruhr coalfield than in the northwest. An important exception can be observed in the lower part of the Westphalian A, where, in contrast, strata thicknesses are greatest in the northwest (in the Münsterland region), although the coal content remains the greatest in the southeast.Detailed isopach maps covering 100–200 m thick stratigraphic intervals reveal the existence of a southwest-northeast trending zone of reduced subsidence in the Ruhr coalfield that moved from southwest-northeast during the Westphalian. This structure can be interpreted as a peripheral bulge. Coal seems are purer and thicker in the area of this structure, which therefore must have been a paleogeographic element within the Ruhr basin.The general effect of a general decrease in the coal content of the Upper Carboniferous towards the northwest is superimposed on the migration of the coal content maxima of individual formations towards the northwest. During the Namurian C and Westphalian A the coal content maxima were situated in the area of the River Ruhr and during the Westphalian B and C in the area of the River Lippe.The deformation of the Ruhr coal basin is of post-Westphalian age, as demonstrated by the concordant folding of the Devonian and Carboniferous strata. The tectonic structure is mainly characterised by the following elements: stockwerk tectonics, axial elevations and a succession of compressional and extensional tectonics.Due to the general dip of the Ruhr coal basin towards the north, different structural levels (“stockwerks”) can be observed. The southern area displays the lowermost stockwerk, with many minor folds of about constant wavelength and low amplitudes. Thrusts are mainly small and some of them show increasing displacement upwards. The central part of the mining area displays the intermediate stockwerk with large, tight anticlinoria with minor folds separated by open synclines. These are accompanied by folded northwest- and southeast-vergent thrusts. In the northern Ruhr district, high anticlines and broad, trough-shaped synclinoria with only few thrusts represent the uppermost stockwerk. Large fold controlled thrusts die out at this level. Axial culminations and depressions have strongly influenced the structural style of the folding as well.According to this model of stockwerk tectonics, excess volume created by disharmonic folding is redistributed by thrusts. Thrusts dying out downwards at different stratigraphic and structural levels give evidence that there is no regional basal detachment below the Ruhr coal basin. This interpretation fits very well to new results achieved by the deep seismic reflection profile DEKORP 2-N. The section clearly shows thick-skinned tectonics in the Rhenish massif, with a shortening of the whole thickness of crust. The Ruhr coal basin can, therefore, be interpreted in terms of an autochthonous foreland basin in front of a buried thrust front to the south.Investigations on the post-Carboniferous strata of the Ruhr basin indicate different periods of active faulting. Cross and diagonal faults were formed partly at the end of the Variscan folding and partly before and during deposition of the Zechstein strata. A further important period of tectonic movements occurred during the early Kimmerian phase in the Late Triassic. Furthermore, earlier extensional faults in the Ruhr basin have been affected by Late Cretaceous transpression.     

Measuring, understanding and visualising coal characteristics—innovations in coal geology for the 21st century

For the coal industry to remain competitive into the 21st century, particularly if coal prices remain low, it is incumbent upon the industry to understand their products and use this knowledge to improve the efficiency, environmental performance and safety with which their products are mined, processed and used. A full understanding of coal characterisation empowers the user to achieve these goals. Areas where coal characterisation is of crucial importance include integrated gasification and combined cycle (IGCC) combustion, metallurgical uses, gasification, extraction of coal bed methane and liquefaction. Future coal characterisation research avenues are reviewed. For this understanding to be achieved, radical new analytical methods that are cost effective, avoid subjective judgement, can provide prompt online measurements and are meaningful in terms of performance prediction will be required. Examples of emerging technologies are presented. Visualisation of coal quality data and the coal chain has always been important to the coal mining community. Methods of building and maintaining databases, and simulating such data are reviewed.     

煤古植物学:历史、现状与展望

据对５０年来的文献分析，简要评述了煤古植物学这一分支学科的产生背景，研究现状和未来发展趋势；并指出，煤古植物学尽管有广泛的应用前景，但由于受研究方法和研究手段的限制，它仍处于发展的初级阶段。     

中国煤层气资源勘查开发现状与政策探讨

从上世纪80年代中期煤层气产业开发起步到上世纪90年代煤层气产业的单井产量的重大突破,综合论述了中国煤层气勘查、开发的现状,以及回顾了自中联公司成立以来,我国煤层气对外合作的情况,并指明了我国未来煤层气产业发展战略.对煤层气产业发展涉及到的法律、法规进行了全面的论述和探讨,并对煤层气产业发展存在的问题进行了分析,提出了合理化建议.     

Hydrogenation behaviour of coal maceral association

The influence of the intergrowth of macerals on the hydrogenation behaviour of two seam coals from the Ruhr district is investigated. Maceral concentrates of both coals were prepared. The maceral concentrates of each coal were mixed in such a manner, that the composition by macerals corresponded to that of the parent coal. Parent coals, maceral concentrates and the imitated parent coals by mixing maceral concentrates were hydrogenated under the same conditions. Feed materials and residues were characterized petrographically and chemically. Conclusions about the reactivity of the macerals itself, but also of their intergrowths could be drawn from the composition of the hydrogenation residues and of the conversion products. In spite of the same composition by macerals and identic total reflectograms of parent and imitated coals differences in portions and composition of residues were found. While the intergrowth of macerals (microlithotypes) of the low-volatile coal 2 seems to have a positive influence on the conversion of macerals, this seems to be opposite for the higher-volatile coal 1. Probably the lay open of the maceral surfaces has a positive effect on the hydrogenation of coal 2. Vitrinites and exinites proved to be very reactive as could be expected. They yield the highest portions of liquid and gaseous products. Inertinites participate in hydrogenation only with a very restricted reactivity.     

A new model of exact reclamation of post-mining land to address land acquisition problem in Indian coal mining industry

Indian coal mining industry is in transition phase with the growing demand of coal and is likely to escalate further with the need of ultra-mega power projects as well as announcement of smart cities projects. Although, there exist sufficient coal reserves in India, continuous acquisition and possession of coal bearing land is required to minimize the existing gap prevailing between coal demand and supply.The solution of the problem lies not only in modification of laws and policies of industry, but also in modification of mining engineering practices towards sustainable development. This paper critically examines the cause of the problem in the light of Indian laws and practices of the industry. In this paper a method of exact reclamation of post-mining land has been designed as a solution to make easier land acquisition by way of proposing a system of returning back the exact reclaimed land to its owners under corporate social responsibility activity of the industry. The proposed conceptual model of interlinking corporate social responsibility with land exchange will encourage sustainable development practice by mining engineers, and may turn around the public image of the industry.     

新疆煤田地质工作新进展及发展思路

新疆维吾尔自治区是煤炭资源大省,煤炭资源是新疆优势资源转换战略的重要保障,据新疆煤田地质局完成的第三次煤炭资源预测,新疆煤炭预测资源量为1.82万亿t,占全国煤炭资源预测总量的40%。近五a来,新疆煤田地质局以重点矿区的煤炭和煤层气综合勘查为基础,以探采结合为重点,以加强质量管理为保证,取得了丰硕的找矿成果。目前,新疆煤炭已由满足内需进入到弥补、支援全国需求的重要发展阶段。在加快新疆煤炭资源勘查开发的新形势下,煤田地质工作还存在投入不足、人才缺乏、环境不佳等急需解决的问题,据此提出了应加强煤炭和煤层气综合勘探、加快人才队伍建设、深入开展煤炭科学研究等方面的工作,以促进煤田地质工作的科学发展。     

Mercury in Eastern Kentucky coals: Geologic aspects and possible reduction strategies

Mercury emissions from US coal-fired power plants will be regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) before the end of the decade. Because of this, the control of Hg in coal is important. Control is fundamentally based on the knowledge of the amounts of Hg in mined, beneficiated, and as-fired coal. Eastern Kentucky coals, on a reserve district level, have Hg contents similar to the USA average for coal at mines. Individual coals show greater variation at the bench scale, with Hg enrichment common in the top bench, often associated with enhanced levels of pyritic sulfur. Some of the variation between parts of eastern Kentucky is also based on the position relative to major faults. The Pine Mountain thrust fault appears to be responsible for elemental enrichment, including Hg, in coals on the footwall side of the thrust.Eastern Kentucky coals shipped to power plants in 1999, the year the USEPA requested coal quality information on coal deliveries, indicate that coals shipped from the region have 0.09 ppm Hg, compared to 0.10 ppm for all delivered coals in the USA. On an equal energy basis, and given equal concentrations of Hg, the high volatile bituminous coals from eastern Kentucky would emit less Hg than lower rank coals from other USA regions.     

煤矸石中潜在有害微量元素淋溶析出研究

在煤矸石淋溶实验的基础上，研究了有害微量元素从煤矸石中淋溶析出的浓度与其在煤矸石中的含量和赋存状态的关系。结果表明，溶出浓度受淋溶时间，淋溶液温度，酸碱度的影响。淋溶液温度越高，淋溶时间越长，则有害微量元素从煤矸石中析出的浓度越高；不同的有害微量元素受淋溶液pH值大小影响程度也不相同。     

Syngas production from South African coal sources using Sasol–Lurgi gasifiers

Sasol has been operating the Sasol–Lurgi fixed bed coal gasification process for more than fifty years, and with ninety seven units in operation still remains the world's largest commercial application of this technology. The combined operational and engineering expertise vested in Sasol represents a formidable capability in the field of coal and gasification science. Coal is a crucial feedstock for South Africa's unique synfuels and petrochemicals industry, and is used by Sasol as a feedstock to produce synthesis gas (CO and H₂) via the Sasol–Lurgi fixed bed dry bottom gasification process.South Africa, as well as many other countries in the world, will for many years to come rely on its abundant coal resources for energy and specifically for the production of petrochemical products. Synthesis gas production through gasification is growing at a rate of approximately 10% per annum [Office of Fossil Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory and the Gasification Technologies Council, 2000. Gasification: Worldwide use and acceptance. Contract DE-AMO1-98FE65271], indicating that gasification is definitely not a dying technology. The Sasol plants located in Secunda and Sasolburg (South Africa) gasify > 30 million tons per annum of bituminous coal to synthesis gas, which is converted to fuels and chemicals via the Fischer–Tropsch process. The production of chemicals is currently the dominant application for synthesis gas, followed by power generation, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and gaseous fuels.Sasol–Lurgi gasifiers are extremely robust devices, and coal from sources with widely varying properties (e.g. ash content < 10% to as high as 35% or “brown coal” with moisture content of approximately 30%) can be gasified provided that certain operational changes are implemented. Other properties, like high caking propensity for example, require blending to acceptable levels and /or mechanical modifications. Interpretation of coal characterization data gives an indication of expected gasifier performance and the suitability of a specific coal source for Sasol–Lurgi Fixed Bed Gasification process. It is therefore critically important to gain an accurate and fundamental understanding of the properties and expected behavior of the targeted coal feedstock in order to (1) prepare a suitable conceptual flow scheme and (2) to maximize the eventual probability of success in any proposed gasification venture and (3) to optimize the operation and profitability of existing plants and (4) effectively address the environmental aspects.It is the view of the authors that fixed bed gasification technology has a bright future in the areas mentioned above and that Sasol has a unique role in the future application and commercialization of gasification technology globally. The unique skills of Sasol could however be complementary to those of other parties who share our view on the future of gasification and related technologies.     

山西省煤成气勘查开发现状及探索

煤成气包括煤层气、页岩气和致密砂岩气。煤层气开发对保障煤矿安全生产、增加清洁能源供应,改善地区能源消费结构,促进碧水蓝天建设具有现实意义,更符合国家发展绿色能源,实现碳中和、碳达峰的战略要求。页岩气和致密砂岩气对于改善我国能源结构,实现“双碳”目标意义重大。通过对山西省煤成气资源勘查开发现状、体制机制改革、煤层气开发主体技术创新、产业升级方面的有益探索及成功经验进行综合分析总结,认为:煤层气矿权体制机制改革是促进产业健康发展的重要手段;技术创新是煤成气开发实现商业化、产业化的关键;“三气并举”有助于加速产能建设,激发企业勘探开发积极性;煤矿区“四区”联动井上下联合抽采技术体系是煤矿企业安全生产高效发展的可靠模式;合作共赢是煤炭和煤成气产业协同发展的必由之路, “先采气、后采煤、采煤采气一体化”是践行“双碳”目标实现的可靠路径;提升煤层气产品附加值,有助于煤层气产业实现升级。      

煤中微量元素研究进展

煤炭是我国的主要能源，在煤炭开采、运输、洗选、淋溶（滤）、燃烧等其它加工利用过程中，煤中的微量元素要发生迁移、析出，并入侵到大气、水、土壤和生态环境中，最终影响人类生存和生活环境。煤中微量元素十分重要，是因为它们与环境问题、动、植物及人类健康密切相关。在研究微量元素时必须考虑微量元素的性质及毒性，它们主要依靠其含量、种类、存在形式、pH值、氧化-还原条件及其它因素。在全面综合国内外研究文献的基础上，分析了煤中微量元素的发现、分布规律、赋存状态、成因机理及微量元素的应用等方面研究的历史、现状，并对今后研究的重点内容和发展方向进行了较为详细的论述和分析，并指出在进一步深入研究煤中微量元素地球化学的基础上，加强微量元素环境学方面的研究是今后煤中微量元素环境地球化学研究的重要内容。     

如何对煤田地勘单位质量管理体系进行审核

分析了煤田地勘行业产品的质量特性，煤田地勘行业的一般工作流程及过程控制的方法，并从识别过程、文件的有效性、采购的合法性、产品要求的评审、项目部的审核五个方面探讨了如何对煤田地勘单位质量管理体系进行审核。     

Anthropogenic effects on sedimentary facies in Lake Baldeney,West Germany

Analysis of well logs of Lake Baldeney, a reservoir of the Ruhr River, yields four facies factors that reflect the effect of anthropogenic processes on the sediment. First, the sedimentation rate is directly related to the subsidence caused by mining. The extent of the subsidence was such that the sediment load of the river could not compensate for the sinking of the lake bottom. Discharged sediment filled about one-fifth of the basin within 40 years. In certain areas of the basin the sedimentation rate reached up to 10 cm per year. Second, the grain-size distribution of the sediment was influenced by long-term and short-term events. During the subsidence, grain-size distribution remained relatively constant. The destruction of the Möhne River dam during World War II resulted in the presence of an extremely large grain size as evidenced by the so-calledMöhnelage. The filling of the lake after 1961 was accompanied by a continual increase in medium grain size. Third, until 1975, the mode of the lake sediment reflects the effect of mining in the vicinity of the lake. High coal content can be traced to its origin. The introduction of modern production processes, modernization of coal dressing, and hydraulic hauling is documented in the sediment. Finally, the heavy metal content of the sediment corresponds to the industrial development in the drainage area the Ruhr River. The accumulation of Cd reached an extreme concentration, exceeding the natural content by a thousand times. Variation in concentration reflects an increase in industrial production, as well as measures undertaken to restore water quality.     

煤汞同位素地球化学研究进展

汞是煤中普遍存在的痕量元素,煤炭消耗总量之巨使燃煤成为全球汞污染主要来源之一。汞具有7种稳定同位素, 并且兼具质量分馏和非质量分馏效应,使通过汞同位素对涉煤汞污染源和汞迁移、转化示踪成为理想途径。煤中汞同位素 研究获得长足进展。第一,初步给出了世界11个产煤国煤中汞同位素δ202Hg的特征值及分布范围,为示踪环境介质汞的燃 煤源污染源创造了条件。第二,发现了原煤中汞存在奇数质量汞的非质量分馏效应（Δ199Hg≠0）,有助于配合δ202Hg开展示 踪研究。第三,中国不同产煤地及不同成煤期原煤中汞同位素δ202Hg与Δ199Hg值已被测试,为中国开展煤源汞污染示踪研究 打下一定基础。进一步工作可能有待加强的4个方面：（1） 全球不同地域和时代煤中汞同位素数据库的不断补充、修正和 完善;（2） 煤炭生产遗存物,如残留煤和煤矸石等与气-水环境相互作用中的汞同位素问题;（3） 燃煤派生的且影响人类 健康的环境介质如大气细颗粒物（PM2.5） 的汞同位素问题;（4） 涉及煤火汞的迁移转化是复杂的,部分汞具有二次释放特 性,其中汞同位素问题仍是未知的。总之煤中汞及其关联的汞同位素研究方兴未艾。     

汝州市浅层地下水污染特征及成因分析

通过调查研究汝州市浅层地下水的环境条件 ,采用模糊数学综合评判法评价地下水污染程度 ,分析了主要污染因子形成机理 ,提出了采煤、焦化、火电工业集中区应采取污水集中处理措施以减缓水污染等主要防治建议。对于今后研究类似地区的地下水污染具有重要参考价值。     

化工地质矿山行业改革发展的若干问题

作为具有原材料工业和支农产业双重属性的化工地质矿山行业，在由计划经济向市场经济的转换过程中，在管理体制、宏观调控、投资体制、价格政策、运行机制、产业布局和产品结构、中小矿山管理、老矿山出路、地质勘探系统管理、对外开放、发展策略等方面存在严重困难和问题，需要加强管理，进行改革。化工地质矿产行业发展潜力很大，在国家政策的支持下，通过自身的努力，其发展前景将十分广阔。     

The Status Quo and Outlook of Chinese Coal Geology and Exploration Technologies

Coal is China＇s dominant energy resource. Coal geological exploration is the basis of sustainable development of coal industry. Since the late 1990s, the advances in Chinese coal geology and exploration techniques have been shown in the following aspects. （1） The basic research of coal geology has changed from traditional geological studies to earth system science; （2） Breakthroughs have been achieved in integrated exploration techniques for coal resources; （3） Evaluation of coal and coalbed methane resources provides important basis for macropolicy making for China＇s coal industry and construction of large coal bases; （4） Significant advances have been made in using information technology in coal geological exploration and 3S （GPS, GIS, RS） technology. For the present and a period of time in the future, major tasks of Chinese coal geological technology are as follows： （1） solving resources replacement problem in eastern China and geological problems of deep mining; （2） solving problem of integrated coal exploration of complex regions in energy bases of central China, and resources problems induced by coal exploitation; （3） making efforts to enhance the level of geological research and resources evaluation of coal-accumulation basins in western China; （4） strengthening geological research of clean coal technologies; （5） strengthening geological research of the problems in modern coal mining and safe production; （6） promoting information technology in coal resources and major geological investigations.     

大同煤田煤炭资源勘查与开发研究

大同煤田侏罗系煤炭资源临近枯竭,石炭二叠纪煤系将成为大规模开发对象。笔者对煤炭资源勘查与开发现状进行了分析,认为小煤矿的无序开采极大地浪费了煤炭资源,并加速了国营大矿的衰老报废,地质灾害和勘查资金短缺制约着大同矿区的发展。建议对煤炭及其共伴生矿产进行综合勘查与开发,合理有效地利用资源,采取措施积极防治地质灾害,进行环境保护,使煤炭工业可持续发展。     

Coal and coke petrographic investigations into the fusibility of Carboniferous and Permian coking coals

For the purpose of conducting coal/coke mass balance calculations ten Australian coals of Permian age and twenty Carboniferous coals from the Ruhr district of Germany have been carbonized, and both feed coal and coke samples have been subjected to petrographic and other laboratory analyses. The results demonstrate that inertinite dissociates thermally into four components: (1) gas and liquor; (2) fused coke matrix (FCM); (3) partly fused coke inclusions (PFCI); and (4) unfused coke inclusions (UFCI). Fluorescence intensity measurements offer the best means of identification of the boundaries between the above groups and, in doing so, divide coal components into fusible, partly fusible and infusible constituents without the need to refer to any maceral classification. Fluorescence intensity cut-offs for the three solid categories have been determined. They correspond to 3% 1 650 w for FCM/PFCI and 1.5% for PFCI/UFCI.