Gondwana coals of Bhutan Himalaya - Occurrence,properties and petrographic characteristics

A narrow belt of highly inclined coal-bearing Gondwana strata occurs in the extreme south-eastern part of Bhutan Himalaya. Recently, a systematic survey was undertaken along this coal belt and coals of three areas were analyzed in detail for the evaluation of their physico-chemical properties and petrographic characteristics.The entire region is in the midst of the Great Himalayan orogenic belt, and the whole stratigraphic sequence underwent several diastrophic movements in the geological past. The massive effects of these orogenies is more pronounced in the coal beds of Gondwana sequence, and due to severe crushing and tectonic shearing these coals became powdery and flaky in nature. Significantly, the coals retained their pre-deformational rank exhibiting typical high-volatile, low-rank, bituminous characters, with mild caking propensities. Also these coals are markedly low in sulphur, phosphorus, chlorine and carbonate content like that of Peninsular Gondwana coals.Petrographic studies of these Bhutan coals revealed a close similarity with the eastern Raniganj coals (Upper Permian) of Peninsular India. The tectonic shearing and crushing of the coals are exhibited by the frequent presence of microfolding, microfaulting, and other compressional structures. However, the coals of all the three areas have shown a consistently low order of reflectance values.This typical retention of pre-deformational low-rank bituminous character is a significant feature of Bhutan coals. It shows that massive orogenic movements were only able to physically crush these coals but could not generate the requisite thermal regime to raise the rank of these coals.     

Hydrocarbon—Generating Characteristics of Barkinite—Rich Colas from Late Permian Longtan Formation ,South China

Leping coal (including barkinite-rich coal) is a unique kind of coal,which is widely distrbuted in the Late Permian Longan Formation,South China,In this paper,ROck-Eval,Py-GC and simulation experiment via an open-system were used to study the hydrocarbon-generating potential,hydrocarbon composition.and hydrocarbon-generating model of barkiniterich coals from the shuicheng coal field of Guizhou Province,Southwest China.The results show that barkinite-rich coals have high hydrocarbon-generating potential,with S1 S2 being 211-311mg/g,and can produce large amounts of hydrocorbon at the high-maturity stage,mostly within the temperature range of 420-450℃(corresponding to VR0 1.1-1.5%);barkinite-rich coal is one of the better oil sources and light hydrocarbon and wet gas are the major hydrocarbon components,which account for 45% and 33% of the total hydrocarbons.respectively.These characteristics are of importance for exploring oil and gas resources in the Late permian Longtan Formation coals,southwest China.     

Diversities in biomarker compositions of Carboniferous–Permian humic coals in the Ordos Basin,China

The molecular composition of Carboniferous–Permian coals in the maturity range from 0.66 to 1.63% vitrinite reflectance has been analysed using organic geochemistry to investigate the factors influencing the biomarker compositions of humic coals. The Carboniferous–Permian coal has a variable organofacies and is mainly humic-prone. There is a significant difference in the distribution of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in these coals, which can be divided into three types. The Group A coals have biomarker compositions typical of humic coal, characterised by high Pr/Ph ratios, a lower abundance of tricyclic terpanes with a decreasing distribution from C₁₉ tricyclic terpane to C₂₄ tricyclic terpane and a high number of terrigenous-related biomarkers, such as C₂₄ tetracyclic terpane and C₂₉ steranes. The biomarker composition of Group B coals, which were deposited in a suboxic environment, have a higher abundance of rearranged hopanes than observed in Group A coals. In contrast, in Group C coals, the Pr/Ph ratio is less than 1.0, and the sterane and terpane distributions are very different from those in groups A and B. Group C coals generally have abnormally abundant tricyclic terpanes with a normal distribution maximising at the C₂₃ peak; C₂₇ steranes predominates in the m/z 217 mass fragmentograms. The relationships between biomarker compositions, thermal maturity, Pr/Ph ratios and depositional environments, indicate that the biomarker compositions of Carboniferous–Permian coals in Ordos Basin are mainly related to their depositional environment. This leads to the conclusion that the biomarker compositions of groups A and B coals collected from Shanxi and Taiyuan formations in the northern Ordos Basin are mainly related to their marine–terrigenous transitional environment, whereas the biomarker compositions for the Group C coals from Carboniferous strata and Shanxi Formation in the eastern Ordos Basin are associated with marine incursions.     

Generation and expulsion of oils from Permian coals of the Sydney Basin,Australia

Organic geochemical and petrological assessment of coals/coaly shales and fine grained sediments, coupled with organic geochemical analyses of oil samples, all from Permo–Triassic sections of the Southern Sydney Basin (Australia), have enabled identification of the source for the widely distributed oil shows and oil seeps in this region. The Permian coals have higher hydrogen indices, higher liptinite contents, and much higher total organic matter extract yields than the fine grained sediments. A variety of source specific parameters obtained from n-alkanes, regular isoprenoids, terpanes, steranes and diasteranes indicate that the oil shows and seeps were generated and expelled predominantly from higher plant derived organic matter deposited in oxic environments. The source and maturity related biomarkers and aromatic hydrocarbon distributions of the oils are similar to those of the coals. The oil-coal relationship also is demonstrated by similarities in the carbon isotopic composition of the total oils, coal extracts, and their individual n-alkanes. Extracts from the Permo–Triassic fine grained sediments, on the other hand, have organic geochemical signatures indicative of mixed terrestrial and prokaryotic organic matter deposited in suboxic environments, which are significantly different from both the oils and coal extracts. The molecular signatures indicating the presence of prokaryotic organic matter in some of the coal extracts and oils may be due to thin sections of possibly calcareous lithologies interbedded within the coal measures. The genetic relationship between the oils and coals provides new evidence for the generation and expulsion of oils from the Permian coals and raises the possibility for commercial oil accumulations in the Permian and Early Triassic sandstones, potentially in the deeper offshore part of the Sydney Basin.     

Petrographic,chemical and trace-elemental composition of the coal of Sohagpur coalfield,Madhya Pradesh,India

The Sohagpur coalfield is a remnant of the Son valley basin of Gondwana deposition and can be subdivided into three major subbasins from west to east: Rungta-Amlai, Kotma and Bijuri. Thick coal seams occur in the Barakar Formation (Lower Permian) and are being worked extensively.Petrographic, reflectance, chemical and trace-elemental studies on samples of coal representative of the coal seams of the different subbasins have been carried out, and the results are presented here. Petrographically, the coals of one subbasin are different from those of another subbasin and are mainly composed of vitrinertite I, and vitrinertite V, that alternates with fusite. Vitrite increases in proportion in the coal seams towards the eastern part of the coalfield, and sclerotinite occurs in increased proportion in coal seams towards the western part. The reflectance in oil (Ro_max) varies from 0.50 to 0.58% in the coals of Rungta-Amlai, 0.46–0.56% in Kotma, and 0.53–1.05% in Bijuri subbasins. Chemically, the coals belong to type High Volatile Symbol B 4 of Class Bituminous. The significant trace elements are V (20–400 ppm); Cu, Ni, Co (up to 300 ppm); Mn, Ba, Sr, Zr (up to 800 ppm); and La (up to 1200 ppm). The trace elements show a tendency to increase in proportion towards the eastern part of the coalfield.To the immediate east of the coalfield lies the Chirimiri coalfield, of which the compositional characteristics are also presented. These data clearly suggest that the coals of the Son valley are different from those of the other Gondwana basins, i.e., Mahanadi, Godavari, and Damodar valley basins.     

The role of coal petrographic characteristics in evaluating the non-coking nature of the coals of ramagundam and Kothagudem coalfields,Godavari Valley Basin,Andhra Pradesh,India

The maceral and microlithotype compositions of coals representative of the different coal seams of the Ramagundam and Kothagudem coalfields, Godavari Valley Basin, are compared with those of the Ib River, Talcher, South Karanpura, Hura, and Brahmani coalfields. The vitrite + clarite—“Intermidiates”—durite + fusite + shale (<20%) triangular diagram places these coals in the area of non-coking coals, clearly distinct from the coking and semi-coking coals. The vitrinite reflectance is low (R_ormoil^aver: 0.38–0.71%), far below the coking-coal range. Thus, based on petrographic composition and rank, these coals are of non-coking nature. A triangular diagram is proposed delineating the coking, semi-coking and non-coking coal areas for the Gondwana coals of India.     

Assessment of shrinkage–swelling influences in coal seams using rank-dependent physical coal properties

Characterization of coal reservoirs and determination of in-situ physical coal properties related to transport mechanism are complicated due to having lack of standard procedures in the literature. By considering these difficulties, a new approach has been developed proposing the usage of relationships between coal rank and physical coal properties. In this study, effects of shrinkage and swelling (SS) on total methane recovery at CO₂ breakthrough (TMRB), which includes ten-year primary methane recovery and succeeding enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) recovery up to CO₂ breakthrough, and CO₂ sequestration have been investigated by using rank-dependent coal properties. In addition to coal rank, different coal reservoir types, molar compositions of injected fluid, and parameters within the extended Palmer & Mansoori (P&M) permeability model were considered. As a result of this study, shrinkage and swelling lead to an increase in TMRB. Moreover, swelling increased CO₂ breakthrough time and decreased displacement ratio and CO₂ storage for all ranks of coal. Low-rank coals are affected more negatively than high-rank coals by swelling. Furthermore, it was realized that dry coal reservoirs are more influenced by swelling than others and saturated wet coals are more suitable for eliminating the negative effects of CO₂ injection. In addition, it was understood that it is possible to reduce swelling effect of CO₂ on cleat permeability by mixing it with N₂ before injection. However, an economical optimization is required for the selection of proper gas mixture. Finally, it is concluded from sensitivity analysis that elastic modulus is the most important parameter, except the initial cleat porosity, controlling SS in the extended P&M model by highly affecting TMRB.     

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.     

Tetracyclic diterpenoid hydrocarbons in some Australian coals,sediments and crude oils

Tetracyclic diterpenoid hydrocarbons (diterpanes) based on the ent-beyerane, phyllocladane and ent-kaurane skeletons have been identified in the hydrocarbon extracts of some Australian coals, sediments and crude oils. Structures were assigned to the geological diterpanes by comparison with synthetically prepared reference compounds. Studies of a sample suite consisting of low-rank coals and sediments indicate that the ratios of C-16 epimers of phyllocladane and ent-kaurane are maturity dependent, and that the relative proportion of the thermodynamically preferred 16β (H)-compounds increases with increasing thermal maturity. Thermodynamic equilibrium for the interconversion reactions is attained in sediments before the onset of crude oil generation.The most likely natural product precursors for the tetracyclic diterpanes are considered to be the tetracyclic diterpene hydrocarbons which occur widely in the leaf resins of conifers. Tetracyclic diterpanes have been identified in sediments and coals of Permian age or younger, suggesting that these compounds are markers for both modern and extinct families of conifers. In particular, phyllocladane is proposed as a marker for the Podocarpaceae family of conifers.     

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.     

The elemental and isotopic composition of sulfur and nitrogen in Chinese coals

Coal combustion is an important atmospheric pollution source in most Chinese cities, so systematic studies on sulfur and nitrogen in Chinese coals are needed. The sulfur contents in Chinese coals average 0.9 ± 1.0%, indicating that most Chinese coals are low in sulfur. A nearly constant mean δ³⁴S value is observed in low sulfur (TS < 1) Chinese coals of different ages (D, P₁, T₃ and J₃). High sulfur Chinese coals (OS > 0.8%), often found at late Carboniferous (C₃) and late Permian (P₂) in southern China, had two main sulfur sources (original plant sulfur and secondary sulfur). The wide variety of δ³⁴S values of Chinese coals (−15‰ to +50‰) is a result of a complex sulfur origin. The δ¹⁵N values of Chinese coals ranged from −6‰ to +4‰, showing a lack of correlation with coal ages, whereas nitrogen contents are higher in Paleozoic coals than in Mesozoic coals. This may be related to their original precursor plant species: high nitrogen pteridophytes for the Paleozoic coals and low nitrogen gymnosperms for the Mesozoic coals. Different to δ³⁴S values, Chinese coals showed higher δ¹⁵N values in marine environments than in freshwater environments.     

Determination of elemental affinities by density fractionation of bulk coal samples from the Chongqing coal district, Southwestern China

The occurrence and distribution of major and trace elements have been investigated in two coal-bearing units in the Chonqing mining district (South China): the Late Permian and Late Triassic coals.The Late Permian coals have higher S contents than the Late Triassic coals due to the fixation of pyrite in marine-influenced coal-forming environments. The occurrence of pyrite accounts for the association of a large number of elements (Fe, S, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, and Zn) with sulphides, as deduced from the analysis of the density fractions. The marine influence is probably also responsible for the organic association of B. The REEs, Zr, Nb, and Hf, are enriched by a factor of 2–3 with respect to the highest levels fixed for the usual worldwide concentration ranges in coal for these elements. The content of these elements in the Late Permian coal is higher by a factor of 5–10 with respect to the Late Triassic coal. Furthermore, other elements, such as Cu, P, Th, U, V, and Y, are relatively enriched with respect to the common range values, with maximum values higher than the usual range or close to the maximum levels in coal. The content of these elements in the Late Permian coal is higher than the Late Triassic coal. These geochemical enrichments are the consequence of the occurrence, in relatively high levels, of phosphate minerals, such as apatite, xenotime, and monazite, as deduced from the study of the density fractions obtained from the bulk coal.The Late Triassic coal has a low sulphur content with a major organic affinity. The trace element contents are low when compared with worldwide ranges for coal. In this coal, the trace element distribution is governed by clay minerals, carbonate minerals, and to a lesser extent, by organic matter and sulphide minerals.Major differences found between late Permian and Triassic coals are probably related to the source rocks, given that the main source rock of the late Permian epicontinental marine basin is the Emeishan basalt formation, characterised by a high phosphate content.     

Metamorphism of mineral matter in coal from the Bukit Asam deposit, south Sumatra, Indonesia

The coal of the Miocene Bukit Asam deposit in south Sumatra is mostly sub-bituminous in rank, consistent with regional trends due to burial processes. However, effects associated with Plio–Pleistocene igneous intrusions have produced coal with vitrinite reflectance up to at least 4.17% (anthracite) in different parts of the deposit. The un-metamorphosed to slightly metamorphosed coals, with Rv_max values of 0.45–0.65%, contain a mineral assemblage made up almost entirely of well-ordered kaolinite and quartz. The more strongly heat-affected coals, with Rv_max values of more than 1.0%, are dominated by irregularly and regularly interstratified illite/smectite, poorly crystallized kaolinite and paragonite (Na mica), with chlorite in some of the anthracite materials. Kaolinite is abundant in the partings of the lower-rank coals, but is absent from the partings in the higher-rank areas, even at similar horizons in the same coal seam. Regularly interstratified illite/smectite, which is totally absent from the partings in the lower-rank coals, dominates the mineralogy in the partings associated with the higher-rank coal beds. A number of reactions involving the alteration of silicate minerals appear to have occurred in both the coal and the associated non-coal lithologies during the thermal metamorphism generated by the intrusions. The most prominent involve the disappearance of kaolinite, the appearance of irregularly interstratified illite/smectite, and the formation of regular I/S, paragonite and chlorite. Although regular I/S is identified in all of the non-coal partings associated with the higher-rank coals, illite/smectite with an ordered structure is only recognised in the coal samples collected from near the bases of the seams. The I/S in the coal samples adjacent to the floor of the highest rank seam also appears to have a greater proportion of illitic components. The availability of sodium and other non-mineral inorganic elements in the original coal to interact with the kaolinite, under different thermal and geochemical conditions, appears to be the significant factor in the formation of these new minerals, and distinguishes the mineralogical changes at Bukit Asam from those developed more generally with rank increases due to burial, and from the effects of intrusions into coals that were already at higher rank levels.     

Properties of thermally metamorphosed coal from Tanjung Enim Area, South Sumatra Basin, Indonesia with special reference to the coalification path of macerals

Thermally metamorphosed Tertiary age coals from Tanjung Enim in South Sumatra Basin have been investigated by means of petrographic, mineralogical and chemical analyses. These coals were influenced by heat from an andesitic igneous intrusion. The original coal outside the metamorphosed zone is characterized by high moisture content (4.13–11.25 wt.%) and volatile matter content (> 40 wt.%, daf), as well as less than 80 wt.% (daf) carbon and low vitrinite reflectance (VR_max = 0.52–0.76%). Those coals are of subbituminous and high volatile bituminous rank. In contrast the thermally metamorphosed coals are of medium-volatile bituminous to meta-anthracite rank and characterized by low moisture content (only < 3 wt.%) and volatile matter content (< 24 wt.%, daf), as well as high carbon content (> 80 wt.%, daf) and vitrinite reflectance (VR_max = 1.87–6.20%). All the studied coals have a low mineral matter content, except for those which are highly metamorphosed, due to the formation of new minerals.The coalification path of each maceral shows that vitrinite, liptinite and inertinite reflectance converge in a transition zone at VR_max of around 1.5%. Significant decrease of volatile matter occurs in the zone between 0.5% and 2.0% VR_max. A sharp bend occurs at VR_max between 2.0% and 2.5%. Above 2.5%, the volatile matter decreases only very slightly. Between VR_r = 0.5% and 2.0%, the carbon content of the coals is ascending drastically. Above 2.5% VR_r, the carbon content becomes relatively stable (around 95 wt.%, daf).Vitrinite is the most abundant maceral in low rank coal (69.6–86.2 vol.%). Liptinite and inertinite are minor constituents. In the high rank coal, the thermally altered vitrinite composes 82.4–93.8 vol.%. Mosaic structures can be recognized as groundmasss and crack fillings. The most common minerals found are carbonates, pyrite or marcasite and clay minerals. The latter consist of kaolinite in low rank coal and illite and rectorite in high rank coal. Change of functional groups with rank increase is reflected most of all by the increase of the ratio of aromatic C–H to aliphatic C–H absorbances based on FTIR analysis. The Oxygen Index values of all studied coals are low (OI < 5 mg CO₂/g TOC) and the high rank coals have a lower Hydrogen Index (< 130 mg HC/g TOC) than the low rank coals (about 300 mg HC/g TOC). T_max increases with maturity (420–440 °C for low rank coals and 475–551 °C for high rank coals).Based on the above data, it was calculated that the temperature of contact metamorphism reached 700–750 °C in the most metamorphosed coal.     

Catagenesis of Jurassic-Cretaceous coals and rocks of the Bureya basin in the Russian Far East with respect to hydrocarbon generation

The catagenesis of the Jurassic-Cretaceous deposits and coals has been comprehensively examined based on a complex of features including the reflectance (R _o and R _a), the qualitative properties, and the petrochemical characteristics (the density and saturation porosity) of the host rocks. The catagenesis of the Jurassic-Cretaceous deposits was studied based on the structural zones in which the coal-bearing deposits occur at different depths ranging from ～ 10 to 300 m, down to 700m, and from 5 to 3460 m in the Western, Central, and Kyndal zones, accordingly. The following regularities of the changing of the coal’s catagenesis have been established: from group 3B to 1G, 2G, and GFL; from gradation PC₃ to MC₁-MC₂; and from MC₂ to MC₃-MC₄ with the changing of the composition of the coals from long-flame coal to gas and gasfat-lean coal. In the intrusive bodies distribution areas breaking through the coal-bearing deposits, the coal seams are metamorphosed to the marks of lean caking and lean coals. The data obtained have made possible the assessment of the hydrocarbon generation in the Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous deposits of the basin.     

Role of coal type and rank on methane sorption characteristics of Bowen Basin, Australia coals

The effect of coal composition, particularly the organic fraction, upon gas sorption has been investigated for Bowen Basin and Sydney Basin, Australia coals. Maceral composition influences on gas retention and release were investigated using isorank pairs of hand-picked bright and dull coal in the rank range of high volatile bituminous (0.78% R_{o max}) to anthracite (3.01% R_{o max}). Adsorption isotherm results of dry coals indicated that Langmuir volume (V_L) for bright and dull coal types followed discrete, second-order polynomial trends with increasing rank. Bright coals had a minimum V_L at 1.72% R_{o max} and dull coals had a minimum V_L at 1.17% R_{o max}. At low rank, V_L was greater in bright coal by about 10 cm³/g, but as rank increased, the bright and dull trends converged and crossed at 1.65% R_{o max}. At ranks higher than 1.65% R_{o max}, both bright and dull coals followed similar trends. These competing trends mean that the importance of maceral composition on V_L varies according to rank. In high volatile bituminous coals, increases in vitrinite content are associated with increases in adsorption capacity. At ranks higher than medium to low volatile bituminous, changes in maceral composition may exert relatively little influence on adsorption capacity. The Langmuir pressure (P_L) showed a strong relationship of decreasing P_L with increasing rank, which was not related to coal type. It is suggested that the observed trend is related to a decrease in the heterogeneity of the pore surfaces, and subsequent increased coverage by the adsorbate, as coal rank increases. Desorption rate studies on crushed samples show that dull coals desorb more rapidly than bright coals and that desorption rate is also a function of rank. Coals of lower rank have higher effective diffusivities. Mineral matter was found to have no influence on desorption rate of these finely crushed samples. The evolution of the coal pore structure with changing rank is implicated in diffusion rate differences.     

Geochemical variations of major,trace, rare earth elements in some Gondwana and Eocene coals of India with a comparison of their germanium,lithium, and mercury content

The geochemistry of major, trace, rare earth elements (REEs), with special reference to Ge, Li, and Hg in selected Gondwana and Eocene coals, has been studied. Major oxide and trace element ratios have been utilised to compare the tectonic setting, provenance of source rocks, and paleoweathering conditions that prevailed the during formation of these coals. The Gondwana coals have a higher mean mercury and ash content (244.5 μg/kg and 17.2 %, respectively) than the Eocene coals (142.1 μg/kg, 8.9 % respectively). The major oxides, SiO₂, Fe₂O_3, and Al₂O_3, in Gondwana and Eocene coals, are enriched relative to the upper continental crust (UCC), Chinese and American coals. The UCC normalized trace element concentration coefficients of the Gondwana and Eocene coals show enrichment in Ge, Se, Th, Co, Mo, Sn, W, and Li. The mean Ge and Li concentrations (mg/kg) in Gondwana (106.7, 154.7) and Eocene (120.0, 252.6) exceed the corresponding values in world coal (2.2, and 12). The Rajmahal coals have the highest mean Ge concentration (168.8 mg/kg) among the Gondwana coals while Eocene coals from East Jaintia Hills have the highest mean value (343.7 mg/kg). The Gondwana coals have a higher mean As concentration (3.5 mg/kg) in comparison to the Eocene coals (1.9 mg/kg). The mean of the rare earth elements in Gondwana (24.1 mg/kg) is higher than that in Eocene coals (11.3 mg/kg) and these values are less than the World coals (68.5 mg/kg). Both the Gondwana and Eocene coals are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs). However, among the Eocene coals, the Meghalayan coals show REE enrichment in comparison to Assam coals. Both the Gondwana and Eocene coals were formed in warm and humid climates under oxic conditions with moderate weathering of the source rocks.     

Brecciated and mineralized coals in Union County, Western Kentucky coal field

Coals from the D-2 and D-3 boreholes in the Grove Center 7 1/2 min quadrangle, Union County, KY, have been found to be highly brecciated and mineralized. The mineralization is dominated by a carbonate assemblage with minor sulfides and sulfates. Included among the secondary minerals is the lead selenide, clausthalite. Overall, the emplacement of secondary vein minerals was responsible for raising the rank of the coals from the 0.6–0.7% R_max range found in the area to as high as 0.95–0.99% R_max.A 1.3-m-thick coal found in one of the boreholes is unique among known Western Kentucky coals in having less than 50% vitrinite. Semifusinite and fusinite dominate the maceral assemblages. The coal is also low in sulfur coal, which is unusual for the Illinois Basin. It has an ash yield of less than 10%; much of it dominated by pervasive carbonate veining. The age of the thick coal in core D-2 is similar to that of the Elm Lick coal bed, found elsewhere in the Western Kentucky coalfield. The coals in D-3 are younger, having Stephanian palynomorph assemblages.     

Arsenic in coal: a review

The review presented covers: (a) historical introduction; (b) some analytical comments; (c) some peculiarities of the As geochemistry in environment; (d) an estimation of coal Clarke value of As; (e) some coals enriched in As; (f) mode of As occurrence in coal; (g) factors influencing the As distribution in coal matter and coal bed; (h) genetic topics; (i) some topics related to environmental impact of As by the coal combustion.The World average As content in coals (coal Clarke of As) for the bituminous coals and lignites are, respectively, 9.0±0.8 and 7.4±1.4 ppm. On an ash basis, these contents are higher: 50±5 and 49±8 ppm, respectively. Therefore, As is a very coalphile element: it has strong affinity to coal matter — organic and (or) inorganic but obligatory authigenic. The coalphile affinity of As is like that for Ge or S.There is strong regional variability of As distribution due to geologic variability of the individual coal basins. For example, bituminous coals in Eastern Germany, Czech Republic and SE China are enriched in As, whereas the coals in South Africa or Australia are very depleted compared to coal Clarke of As. In general, some relationship exists between As content and its mode of occurrence in coals. Typically, at high As content, sulphide sites dominate (pyrite and other more rare sulphides), whereas at low As content, As_org dominates, both being authigenic. A contribution of the terrigenic As (in silicates) is usually minor and of the biogenic As_bio (derived from coal-forming plants) is poorly known.Both organic and inorganic As can exist not only as chemically bound form but also in the sorbed (acid leacheable) arsenate form. With increasing coal rank, sorbed exchangeable arsenate content decreases, with a minimum in the coking coals (German data: the Ruhr coals).Relations of As content in coal to ash yield (or its partitioning in sink–float fractions) and to coal petrographic composition are usually complicated. In most cases, these relations are controlled by main site (form) of As — As_pyr or As_org. If As_pyr dominates, an As accumulation in heavy fractions (or in high-ash coals) is observed, and if As_org dominates, it is enriched in medium-density fractions (or low- and medium-ash coals). Arsenic is in part accumulated in the inertinite vs. vitrinite (As_org ?).There are four genetic types of As accumulation on coal: two epigenetic and two syngenetic: (1) Chinese type—hydrothermal As enrichment, sometimes similar to known Carlin type of As-bearing telethermal gold deposits; (2) Dakota type—hypergene enrichment from ground waters draining As-bearing tufa host rocks; (3) Bulgarian type—As enrichment resulting from As-bearing waters entered coal-forming peat bogs from sulphide deposit aureoles; (4) Turkish type—volcanic input of As in coal-forming peat bog as exhalations, brines and volcanic ash.During coal combustion at power plants, most of the initial As in coal volatilizes into the gaseous phase. At the widely used combustion of pulverized coal, most of As_org, As_pyr and “shielded” As-bearing micromineral phases escape into gaseous and particulate phase and only minor part of As_clay remains in bottom ash. The dominant fraction of escaping As is in fly ash. Because 97–99% of the fly ash is collected by electrostatic precipitators, the atmospheric emission of As (solid phase and gaseous) is usually assumed as rather minor (10–30% from initial As in coal). However, fly ash disposal creates some difficult environmental problems because it is potentially toxic in natural waters and soils. The As leaching rate from ash disposal is greatly controlled by the ash chemistry. In natural environment, As can be readily leached from acid (SiO₂-rich) bituminous coal ashes but can be very difficult from alkali (CaO-rich) lignite ashes.If the As_pyr form dominates, conventional coal cleaning may be an efficient tool for the removing As from coal. However, organic-bound or micromineral arsenic (“shielded” grains of As-bearing sulphides) are not removed by this procedure.Some considerations show that “toxicity threshold” of As content in coal (permissible concentration for industrial utility) may be in the range 100–300 ppm As. However, for different coals (with different proportions of As-forms), and for different combustion procedures, this “threshold” varies.     

Supercritical gas sorption on moist coals

The effect of moisture on the CO₂ and CH₄ sorption capacity of three bituminous coals from Australia and China was investigated at 55 °C and at pressures up to 20 MPa. A gravimetric apparatus was used to measure the gas adsorption isotherms of coal with moisture contents ranging from 0 to about 8%. A modified Dubinin–Radushkevich (DR) adsorption model was found to fit the experimental data under all conditions. Moisture adsorption isotherms of these coals were measured at 21 °C. The Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer (GAB) model was capable of accurately representing the moisture isotherms over the full range of relative pressures.Moist coal had a significantly lower maximum sorption capacity for both CO₂ and CH₄ than dry coal. However, the extent to which the capacity was reduced was dependent upon the rank of the coal. Higher rank coals were less affected by the presence of moisture than low rank coals. All coals exhibited a certain moisture content beyond which further moisture did not affect the sorption capacity. This limiting moisture content was dependent on the rank of the coal and the sorbate gas and, for these coals, corresponded approximately to the equilibrium moisture content that would be attained by exposing the coal to about 40–80% relative humidity. The experimental results indicate that the loss of sorption capacity by the coal in the presence of water can be simply explained by volumetric displacement of the CO₂ and CH₄ by the water. Below the limiting moisture content, the CO₂ sorption capacity reduced by about 7.3 kg t^− 1 for each 1% increase in moisture. For CH₄, sorption capacity was reduced by about 1.8 kg t^− 1 for each 1% increase in moisture.The heat of sorption calculated from the DR model decreased slightly on addition of moisture. One explanation is that water is preferentially attracted to high energy adsorption sites (that have high energy by virtue of their electrostatic nature), expelling CO₂ and CH₄ molecules.