Geology of Santa Rita Coal Basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Data on the sedimentology, stratigraphy, palynology, coal petrography and geochemistry of the Santa Rita Coal Basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, are presented. The investigations were carried out on samples obtained from drill cores of the sedimentary rocks of Tubarão Supergroup, Lower Permian of Paraná Basin.The sequence comprises more than 10 coal layers, three sets of which — SR₁, SR₂ and SR₃ — are correlated with the SB+MB, I₁F and I₂B+I₃B coal seams, respectively, of the Charqueadas Coal Basin, southwest of Santa Rita. The lower, as well as the upper contacts of the sedimentary sequences are transitional and very difficult to trace.The Itararé sequences (basal group) comprise pelites, conglomerates and sandstones. The pelites are the most representative lithologies. The overlying Rio Bonito Formation comprises pelites and coal seams with subordinate para- conglomerates.Palynological analysis has unravelled a rich microfloristic association with a predominance of specimens related to the Infraturma laevigati, apiculati and cingulicavati of the Turma Triletes (Pteridophyta) either in the coal seams or in the associated rocks. Monosaccites, Disaccites and Striatiti (Gymnospermae) are accessory forms in the palynological assemblage. Botryococcus and algae-like elements are less abundant.Comparative studies of cuticular fragments collected from boreholes N₃ and P₄ showed better preservation and greater concentration in the latter, which may indicate that borehole N₃ is located closer to the margin of the swamp.Reflectance measurements ranging from 0.43 Rr% to 0.50 Rr% allow the coal seams to be classified as sub-bituminous B and A, according to the ASTM classification. Microlithotype analyses have shown the predominance of carbominerite, trimacerite and vitrite. Vitrinite is the most prominent maceral group (20–50%), inertinite and exinite are subordinate. The mineral content is about 40%.Results from geochemical analyses, from either coal or associated pelites, show the association of boron and vanadium with the organic matter; gallium is related to the inorganic material.The available sedimentological, palaeontological and petrographical data suggest a paludal environment related to swamps and the coal seams present characteristics of “reed” moor limnotelmatic facies of an authochthonous/hypautochthonous origin.     

Maceral/ microlithotype partitioning with particle size of pulverized coal: Examples from power plants burning Central Appalachian and Illinois basin coals

Pulverized coals from eleven power plants burning Central Appalachian coal blends and eight power plants burning Illinois Basin coal blends were studied in order to assess the petrographic nature of industrial-scale coal grinding. All coals were high volatile bituminous. Coals were wet screened at 100 (150 μ), 200 (75 μ), 325 (about 40 μ), and 500 (about 25 μ) mesh. Petrographic analysis of the whole coals and size fractions consisted of a combined maceral and microlithotype analysis. Microlithotype analysis, in particular, provides a reasonable approximation of the whole-particle composition at the scale of utility coal pulverization. In the size fractions, duroclarite, the most abundant trimaceral microlithotype, is most abundant in the coarsest fraction and least abundant in the finest fraction. Vitrite, the most abundant monomaceral microlithotype, exhibits the opposite trend. Duroclarite becomes more enriched in vitrinite towards the finer sizes. The partitioning of microlithotypes and the partitioning of macerals within the microlithotypes is indicative of the relative brittle nature of vitrite compared to the hard-to-grind trimaceral microlithotypes. Increased vitrinite in duroclarite is an indication that the microlithotype within the particular size fraction is more brittle than relatively vitrinite-depleted duroclarite in coarser fractions. The relative grindability of microlithotypes will, in turn, impact combustion efficiency.     

Studies of the relationship between coal petrology and grinding properties

The maceral and microlithotype composition of selected coals has been investigated with respect to the grinding properties, specifically Hardgrove grindability index (HGI), of the coals. The study expands upon previous investigations of HGI and coal petrology by adding the dimension of the amount and composition of the microlithotypes. Coal samples, both lithotypes and whole channels, were selected from restricted rank ranges based on vitrinite maximum reflectance: 0.75–0.80% R_max, 0.85–0.90% R_max and 0.95–1.00% R_max. In this manner, the influence of petrographic composition can be isolated from the influence of rank. Previous investigations of high volatile bituminous coals demonstrated that, while rank is an important factor in coal grindability, the amount of liptinite and liptinite-rich microlithotypes is a more influential factor. In this study, we provide further quantitative evidence for the influence of microlithotypes on HGI and, ultimately, on pulverizer performance.     

The petrology and origin of coals from the lower Carboniferous Mattson formation, southwestern district of Mackenzie, Canada

Petrographic analyses were carried out on thin coals and coaly sediments from the Lower Carboniferous Mattson Formation at Clausen Creek and Jackfish Gap-Yohin Ridge in the northern part of the Liard Basin, northern Canada. The composition and optical characteristics indicate that the coals are high-volatile bituminous B, predominantly sapropelic (canneloid) and accumulated subaquatically.The coals are dominantly composed of inertinite-rich and exinite-rich durities with subsidiary inertites and clarodurites; vitrite is minor and liptite is rare. The inertinite-rich microlithotypes are dominated by semifusinite, but micrinite, semimacrinite and ?resino-inertinites are abundant. Sporinite, comprising megaspores, crassispores, tenuispores and miospores, is the dominant liptinite maceral with subsidiary cutinite and minor alginite. Except for pyrite, mineral matter is minimal.Three populations of telocollinite are observed: a low-reflectance variety (I), commonly associated with micrinite (as vitrinertite), displays weak brown fluorescence and a reflectance some 0.4-0.5% lower than type II; type II is non-fluorescing telocollinite, with intermediate reflectance (0.67-0.74% R_om), it occurs as vitrite and is also associated with micrinite; and a higher-reflectance telocollinite (III), having no fluorescence or association with micrinite, has variable reflectance (0.74-0.8% R_om) implying higher oxidation or gelification levels.The abundance of semimacrinite, macrinite and ?resino-inertinites in inertites and durites (I) suggests that much of the peat accumulated subaquatically. Furthermore, fluorescing vitrinite and an abundance of micrinite (derived by oxidation or coalification of bituminite), suggest that the coal accumulated under anaerobic conditions. The predominance of semifusinite in humic laminae and micrinite in sapropelic layers suggests extensive surface or near-surface oxidation of the peat. Oxidised sporinites suggest that they were wind-borne.Depositional environment is interpreted as marginal marine, perhaps in shallow lakes in the middle to upper delta plain. Peat accumulations probably began subaquatically at the oxygen-hydrogen sulphide interface, but periodic subaerial exposure and natural oxidation gave rise to the high inertinite coals. Upper Mattson coals are interbedded with algal laminites and probably accumulated in a lagoonal setting.     

Petrographyof some fraser river delta peat deposits: Coal maceral and microlithotype precursors in temperate-climate peats

Peat deposits on the recent lobe of the Fraser River delta, British Columbia, have accumulated in a variety of depositional settings. The study of the decomposition of the plant components associated with each depositional area has enabled prediction of the occurrence and distribution of the precursors of the loal macerals and microlithotypes.On inactive portions of the distal lower delta plain, thin sedge-grass peats ave developed. These peats were influenced by marine conditions near the base and freshwater conditions higher in the section. A high ratio of cellulose to lignin in marsh plants and limited exposure of these tissues to desiccation and oxidation prodcue primarily desmocollinite. Smaller amounts of cernite, cutinite, and alganite origginate from algal and sedge lipids. In the transition to freshwater peats, oxyfusinite, pyrofusinite and micrinite partially replace former exinite and vitrinite-group maceral precursors. Subsequent transgression by marine waters has further promoted decomposition of the peat. Laterally extensive but thin and discontinouus coal seams which would develop from such peat will contain vitrite bands near the base and grade upsection into interlamlaminated durite and vitrinertite.Peats deposited between the upper and lowerdelta plain originate from brackish water. As such, earliest peat horizons contain similar maceral compositions to thoce encountered in distal delta plain deposits. Crevasse and fire splays disrupt gradational changes in fabric upsection and along channel margins. Flooding by oxygenated, neutral pH waters, followed by extended periods of desicaation, result in increases of inertodetrinite, macrinite, sclerotinite, and oxyfusinite. Interlaminated durites and vitrinertites will form common microlithotypes. Interbedded bands of telinite, cutinite and cerinite are produced by later freshwater sedge-grass peat accumulations. In this biofacies, clarite replaces durite. After colonization by Sphagnum, lignin-rich tissues from ericaceous shrubs and Pinus contorta provide precurssors for subernnite, telocollinite, and telinite. Stumps of massive telinite interrupt these banded macerals. Coal seams originating from such peats would be thick, laterally extensive and characterized by vitrite with laminae of liptite and lenses of clarite in the upper part     

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.     

Effect of maceral subtypes and mineral matrix on measured reflectance of subbituminous coals and dispersed organic matter

The variability in reflectance of huminite (texto-ulminite, eu-ulminite A and B, different types of corpohuminite) and liptinite groups of macerals in subbituminous coals was examined using reflected light microscopy. All macerals were selected from coal and interbedded carbonaceous shale and carbonate sediment samples from the 515-m-thick coal deposit No. 2 located in the Hat Creek valley of south-central British Columbia. The measurements obtained reveal that, in addition to burial depth, reflectance distribution depends on maceral subtypes and associated mineral matrix.Huminite in the coals and sediments (kerogen) consists mainly of humotelinite, with eu-ulminite B being the dominant maceral sub-type. Reflectance values determined on huminite in coals and Type IIIb kerogen increase from eu-ulminite A and phlobaphinite type 1 through eu-ulminite B and phlobaphinite type 2 to gelinite. The reflectance of all five huminite maceral subtypes studied increases with depth. However, the increase of phlobaphinite type 1 and gelinite reflectance with depth is irregular.A comparison of the reflectance values obtained for the same maceral subtype (eu-ulminite B) from the interbedded coal, shale and carbonate samples records consistent differences, implying some dependence of the reflectance (and perhaps rate of organic maturation) on the mineral matrix. Generally, the highest eu-ulminite B reflectance was recorded from carbonate rocks and the lowest from shale, whereas coal matrix produced intermediate values.At present, it is not known whether differences in reflectance of eu-ulminite found in the above lithologies are due to differential retention, efficiency of reaction products removal, thermal conductivity of the lithologies, or existence of a calcium carbonate catalyst.     

A note on the characters of some Lower Gondwana coals of West Siang district in the Arunachal Himalaya and their trace element content

Lower Gondwana coal from Garu-Gensi area in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayas have been characterized with respect to their maceral constituents, mineral matter, ash composition, sulphurand trace-element contents. These are low-rank bituminous coals (V₀ = 0.64) and their vitrinite content is about 60%. A first hand data with respect to twenty one trace-elements are reported. Our data indicate that these Lower Gondwana coals of extra-peninsular region are richer in terms of their trace-element content when compared with their counter parts of peninsular India.     

Coal petrology of coal seams from the Leão-Butiá Coalfield, Lower Permian of the Paraná Basin, Brazil — Implications for coal facies interpretations

In the Leão-Butiá Coalfield, Rio Grande do Sul the coal seams occur in the Rio Bonito Formation, Guatá Group, Tubarão Supergroup of the Paraná Basin, Brazil and are of Permian (Artinskian–Kungurian) age.This study is the first detailed investigation on the coal petrographic characterization of the coal-bearing sequence in relation to the depositional settings of the precursor mires, both in terms of whole seam characterization and in-seam variations. The study is based on the analyses of nine coal seams (I2, CI, L4, L3, L2, L1, S3, S2, S1), which were selected from core of borehole D-193, Leão-Butiá and represent the entire coal-bearing sequence.The interpretation of coal facies and depositional environment is based on lithotype, maceral and microlithotype analyses using different facies-critical petrographic indices, which were displayed in coal facies diagrams. The seams are characterized by the predominance of dull lithotypes (dull, banded dull). The dullness of the coal is attributed to relatively high mineral matter, inertinite and liptinite contents. The petrographic composition is dominated by vitrinite (28–70 vol.% mmf) and inertinite (> 30 vol.% mmf) groups. Liptinite contents range from 7 to 30 vol.% (mmf) and mineral matter from 4–30 vol.%. Microlithotypes associations are dominated by vitrite, duroclarite, carbominerite and inertite. It is suggested that the observed vertical variations in petrographic characteristics (lithotypes, microlithotypes, macerals, vitrinite reflectance) were controlled by groundwater level fluctuations in the ancient mires due to different accommodation/peat accumulation rates.Correlation of the borehole strata with the general sequence-stratigraphical setting suggests that the alluvial fan system and the coal-bearing mudstone succession are linked to a late transgressive systems tract of sequence 2. Based on average compositional values obtained from coal facies diagrams, a deposition in a limno-telmatic to limnic coal facies is suggested.     

Statistical analysis of the microlithotype sequences in the Bulli Seam, Australia, and relevance to permeability for coal gas

Sequential microlithotype analyses through the Permian Bulli Coal, Sydney Basin, Australia, enable determination of the abundance, locations and thicknesses of various microlithotypes in the seam. Statistical analyses allow prediction of these parameters. Microlithotype analyses may be used as a means of predicting seam permeability in relation to coal gas drainage, if used in conjunction with reported correlation between coal type and seam reservoir properties.A combination of sequential microlithotype analyses and statistical modelling provide data on the number, location and thicknesses of individual bands of vitrite, vitrinertite, inertite and mineral-rich coal. A Markov chain describes both the order and thickness of the bands in the seam. Local ordering of microlithotypes is similar, irrespective of vertical orientation, which suggests that analyses and predictions may be possible using representative, randomly oriented samples. Statistical modelling can be used to characterise the seam using a small number of parameters. These include the elements of the transition probability matrix of the Markov chain, from which many seam properties such as maximum band thickness, thickness distribution of bands and spacing of thick bands can be predicted.The permeability of vitrite-rich coal in the seam is 30 mD and it is 2.3 mD for inertite-rich coal. In general, for the Bulli seam, vitrite-rich plies are expected to provide better flow paths for coal gas than inertite-rich plies, because of the abundance of cleat systems in vitrite. Using this information, it thus may be possible to predict gas and water flow paths in a seam from microlithotype analyses, thereby leading to the development of a rapid method for assessing the comparative permeabilities of coal plies.     

山西省太原组和山西组煤的煤岩特征分析

在收集和整理大量山西省煤岩资料的基础上,分析了该省太原组和山西组煤的显微煤岩组分,并对各煤田太原组和山西组煤的R0,max的变化规律进行了研究。研究表明：山西省太原组和山西组煤中显微组分一般以镜质组为主,并且有从北向南有不断增加的趋势,惰质组次之,其趋势与镜质组相反,壳质组最少;太原组反射率值在0.6%～3.9%,整体上呈北低南高、西低东高的趋势,煤级从中煤级煤Ⅰ到高煤级煤Ⅱ都有赋存;山西组反射率值在0.6%～4.2%,其反射率变化趋势和煤级赋存特征与山西组类似。研究结果为评价和利用山西省的煤炭资源提供了依据。     

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.     

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.     

Predicted CO2 emissions from maceral concentrates of high volatile bituminous Kentucky and Illinois coals

A large collection of well-characterized coals, documented in the Center for Applied Energy Research's (CAER) database, was used to estimate the CO₂ content of maceral concentrates from Kentucky and Illinois high volatile bituminous coals. The data showed no correlation between CO₂ versus coal ranks and between CO₂ versus maceral content. Subsequently, eight sets of low-ash density-gradient centrifugation (DGC) maceral concentrates from five coal beds were examined, spanning in the high volatile rank range. Heating value was not determined on the concentrates, but instead was calculated using the Mott–Spooner formula. There was a good correlation between predicted CO₂ and maceral content for the individual iso-rank (based on vitrinite reflectance, analyzed on whole (parent) coal) sets. In general, the predicted CO₂ increases from liptinite-rich through vitrinite-rich to inertinite-rich concentrates (note: no “concentrates” are absolutely monomaceral).     

Swelling-induced volumetric strains internal to a stressed coal associated with CO2 sorption

It is generally accepted that typical coalbed gases (methane and carbon dioxide) are sorbed (both adsorbed and absorbed) in the coal matrix causing it to swell and resulting in local stress and strain variations in a coalbed confined under overburden pressure. The swelling, interactions of gases within the coal matrix and the resultant changes in the permeability, sorption, gas flow mechanics in the reservoir, and stress state of the coal can impact a number of reservoir-related factors. These include effective production of coalbed methane, degasification of future mining areas by drilling horizontal and vertical degasification wells, injection of CO₂ as an enhanced coalbed methane recovery technique, and concurrent CO₂ sequestration. Such information can also provide an understanding of the mechanisms behind gas outbursts in underground coal mines.The spatio-temporal volumetric strains in a consolidated Pittsburgh seam coal sample were evaluated while both confining pressure and carbon dioxide (CO₂) pore pressure were increased to keep a constant positive effective stress on the sample. The changes internal to the sample were evaluated by maps of density and atomic number determined by dual-energy X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT). Early-time images, as soon as CO₂ was introduced, were also used to calculate the macroporosity in the coal sample. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photographic images of the polished section of the coal sample at X-ray CT image location were used to identify the microlithotypes and microstructures.The CO₂ sorption-associated swelling and volumetric strains in consolidated coal under constant effective stress are heterogeneous processes depending on the lithotypes present. In the time scale of the experiment, vitrite showed the highest degree of swelling due to dissolution of CO₂, while the clay (kaolinite) and inertite region was compressed in response. The volumetric strains associated with swelling and compression were between ± 15% depending on the location. Although the effective stress on the sample was constant, it varied within the sample as a result of the internal stresses created by gas sorption-related structural changes. SEM images and porosity calculations revealed that the kaolinite and inertite bearing layer was highly porous, which enabled the fastest CO₂ uptake and the highest degree of compression.     

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.     

Evaluating the gas content of coals and isolated maceral concentrates from the Paleocene Guasare Coalfield,Venezuela

This work presents the results from evaluating the gases sorbed by coal samples extracted from the Paleocene Guasare Coalfield (Marcelina Formation, northwestern Venezuela), as well as by their distinct maceral concentrates. The aim of this work has been to obtain an initial experimental main value of the gas content per unit weight of high volatile bituminous A coal samples from the open-pit Paso Diablo mine. An additional goal was to study differences in the CH₄ storage ability of the distinct maceral groups forming part of the coal matrix. Both the coal samples and the maceral concentrates were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in order to determine the temperature to be used in subsequent experiments. On-line analyses of hydrocarbons (C₁, C₂, C₃) and CO₂ yielded gas concentrations, plus δ¹³C values. Thermogenic gas is prevalent in the Guasare coals with vitrinite reflectance (%R_o) values from 0.65% to 0.88%. The amount of gas retained in the coals and maceral concentrates was measured with a special device that allows determination of the volume of gas sorbed by a solid sample subjected to controlled thermal treatment. The average coalbed gas concentration obtained was 0.51 cm³/g. The following list of maceral concentrates shows the relative capacity for the volume of sorbed gas per unit weight: inertinite > low-density vitrinite > liptinite ≈ high-density vitrinite. It is concluded that the gas volumes retained in the distinct maceral concentrates are not controlled by porosity but rather by their microscopic morphology.     

Comparison of physical and chemical properties of maceral groups separated by density dradient centrifugation

Eight coals have been selected for study of the physical and chemical properties of the maceral group . The density-gradient centrifugation technique was employed to affect maceral group separation. The maximum reflectance method of Ting and Lo was used for estimating the reflectance of very small coal particles. The reflectograms were used to characterize the separated maceral fractions. The density, elemental composition, reflectance, NMR parameters of aromaticity, protonated aromatic carbon content and ƒ_stuggereda^stuggeredH of the maceral groups were compared. Variations in the aromatic structure of the maceral groups are discussed as well as the observation that ƒ_stuggereda and ƒ_stuggereda^stuggeredH change with particle density.     

Evaluation of coal bed methane potential of coal seams of Sawang Colliery,Jharkhand, India

The coal seams of Sawang Colliery, East Bokaro Coalfields are bituminous to sub-bituminous in nature and categorized as high gaseous seams (degree II to degree III level). These seams have the potential for coal bed methane (CBM) and their maturity increases with increasing depth, as a result of enhanced pressure-temperature conditions in the underground. The vitrinite maceral group composition of the investigated coal seams ranges from 62.50–83.15%, whereas the inertinite content varies from 14.93–36.81%. The liptinite content varies from 0.66% to 3.09%. The maximum micro-pores are confined within the vitrinite group of macerals. The coal seams exhibit vitrinite reflectance values (Ro% calculated) from 0.94% (sample CG-97) to 1.21% (sample CG-119). Proximate analyses of the investigated coal samples reveal that the moisture content (M%) ranges from 1.28% to 2.98%, whereas, volatile matter (VM%) content is placed in the range of 27.01% to 33.86%. The ash content (A%) ranges from 10.92% to 30.01%. Fixed carbon (FC%) content varies from 41.53% to 55.93%. Fuel ratio variation shows a restricted range from 1.53 to 1.97. All the coal samples were found to be strongly caking and forming coke buttons. The present study is based on the adsorption isotherm experiments carried out under controlled P-T conditions for determination of actual gas adsorption capacity of the coal seams. This analysis shows that the maximum methane gas adsorbed in the coal sample CG-81 is 17 m³/t (Std. daf), at maximum pressure of 5.92 MPa and experimental temperature of 30°C. The calculated Langmuir regression parameters P_L and V_L range from 2.49 to 3.75 MPa and 22.94 to 26.88 m³/t (Std. daf), respectively.