Petrographic zonation within the Waynesburg coal

The Waynesburg coal was sampled with four columns of oriented blocks; three columns within one surface mine and a fourth from a surface mine approximately 1.6 km distant. Each column was described as to lithotype based upon the relative abundance of bright and dull banding. Each lithotype band was sampled and analyzed for maceral and mineral matter content which was in turn used to delineate petrographic zones within the coal.Statistical analysis of the data showed that the two benches of the coeal were different in maceral composition but similar in the amount of mineral matter they contained. The petrographic data showed that laterally persistent zones of petrographic similarity are recognizable within the study area which reflect the geochemical and depositional history of the original peat-forming swamp.     

Petrographical and thermo-chemical investigation of some North East Indian high sulphur coals

The Tertiary North East Indian coals, classified as sub-bituminous rank, have found less industrial application owing to their physico-chemical attributes. These coals are characterized by low ash (<15%), high volatile matter (>35%) and high sulphur (2.9-4.46%). Majority of the sulphur occurs in organic form affixed to the coal matrix owing to marine influence, is difficult to remove. The coal maceral analysis shows the dominance of vitrinite (>75%) with lesser amounts of liptinite and inertinite. Reflectance measurements (Rmax) of these sub-bituminous coals fall in the range of 0.57 to 0.65. In this study, the petrographical (maceral), thermal and other physico-chemical analyses of some low rank Tertiary sub-bituminous coals from north-east India were carried out to assess their potential for combustion, liquefaction and coal bed methane formation. The petrofactor, conversion (%) and oil yield (%), combustion efficiency of the coal samples were determined. The respective linear correlations of conversion (%) of the coals with their vitrinite contents, petrofactor and oil yield values have been discussed. The relative combustion efficiency of the coals was measured from the thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) of coals. The influence of maceral composition upon gas adsorption characteristics of these high volatile coals showed the increase in methane adsorption with vitrinite enrichment. Both the maceral and mineral matter contents were observed to have important influence on the gas adsorption characteristics.     

东胜煤田深部区煤质特征研究

东胜煤田深部区延安组主要发育2-6五个煤组,含煤26层,煤层总厚度5.9～36.7m,根据33个钻孔293个煤样的煤质分析结果,研究区各煤层有机显微组分均以镜质组为主,含量为51.4%～83.0%,惰质组占17.0%～48.0%,煤中矿物质含量为0.18%～14.5%,以粘土矿物为主。从下到上镜质组含量有所增加,常量元素含量较稳定。本区煤类属不粘煤,工业利用以动力用煤为主,因有害元素总体含量较低,其利用不会对环境产生影响。     

从各向异性壳质组的发现论壳质组在煤化过程中的光性演变

通过对我国几个典型煤田300多块煤光片的详细煤岩研究,发现煤中存在一种高反射具强烈各向异性的有机显微组分,有些保存了完好的壳质组外形和结构.可称之为各向异性壳质组,它广泛分布于长焰煤以上各煤级煤中,它的发现进一步说明了壳质组的煤化历程是复杂的。有些在煤化过程中几乎全部裂解为烃类而消失,绝大多数光性与共生镜质组同化,还有一少部分转变成了各向异性壳质组。     

Trace elements and their variation along seam profiles of certain coal seams of Middle and Upper Barakar formations (Lower Permian) in East Bokaro coalfield,district Hazaribagh,Bihar, India

Trace-element data are presented for the first time for any coal seam in India, across a full working section, based on systematically collected channel samples of coal, together with their maceral composition. The trace-element variation curves along the seam profile are presented together with group maceral compositions of Kargali Bottom, Kargali Top, Kargali, Kathara, Uchitdih, Jarangdih Bottom, Jarangdih, and Jarangdih Top seams, East Bokaro coalfield. The Kathara and Uchitdih seams have also been sampled at two other localities and lateral variation in data in their trace-element and maceral compositions is also evaluated.The East Bokaro coals have: Ba and Sr > 1000 ppm; Mn < 450 ppm; Zr < 400 ppm; Ni and V < 250 ppm; Cr < 185 ppm; La < 165 ppm; Cu, Nb, and B < 125 ppm; Pb, Co and Y < 75 ppm; Ga, Sn, Mo, In and Yb < 15 ppm; Ag 2 ppm; and Ge 7 ppm. Petrographically, the coals are dominant in vitrinite (33–97%), rare in exinite (<15%), and semifusinite (0.8–49%) is the dominant inertinite maceral, with variable mineral and shaly matter (11–30%), graphic representation of trace elements versus vitrinite, inertinite, and coal ash indicates the affinity of (a) vitrinite with Cu, Ni, Co, V, Ga and B; (b) inertinite with Nb and B; and (c) coal ash (mineral matter) with Pb, Cu, Ni, La, Mn and Y; Ba, Cr, Sr, Zr, Cu and Ni are of organic as well as inorganic origins.The trend of the variation patterns and average compositions of the different seams are shown to be distinct and different. The variation along the same profile is inferred to be different for different seams of the coalfield.Trace-element data for certain coals of seams from different coalfields in the Gondwana basins of India are presented. There is a wide difference for each of these basins with respect to certain elements. This is suggestive of the proportions of Cu, Ni, V, Y, Ba, Sr, Cr, B, Zr and Ag, characterizing the different Gondwana Basins.     

Co-carbonization of selected American coals with commercial additives

Because of the short supply of high-quality coking coals in certain areas of the world, many methods of improving the coking characteristics of poorly coking or noncoking coals have been examined as alternatives to importing more expensive, better quality coals. Co-carbonization, or the addition of coal-derived or petroleum-derived materials to the coal charge prior to carbonization, has been used on a commercial basis in the Japanese coking industry. These additives have been used in both solid and liquid form as binders in coal briquettes or as direct additions to the coal blend.In this study three different coal lithotypes were sampled from each of three United States bituminous coal seams: (1) a marginally coking high-volatile B-rank Illinois No. 6 Seam; (2) a highly fluid, good coking quality, high-volatile A-rank Pittsburgh Seam; and (3) a strongly coking low-volatile Blue Creek Seam. Each lithotype sample was carbonized in small-scale (50 g) charges with each of three additives at 0, 2, 5, and 10% additive by weight. The additives included ASP, an asphalt pitch; KRP, a petroleum residue pitch; and SRC, a solvent-refined coal product. The different lithotypes were sampled to examine the effects of coal type as well as rank. A micro-tumbler test was used to give at least a relative coke-strength value for the cokes produced. In addition, all the cokes produced were examined microscopically to determine the effects of co-carbonization on the coke structure.The Illinois No. 6, Pittsburgh, and Blue Creek Seam coals all showed substantial strength increases when co-carbonized with 2, 5, and 10% of each of the three additives, particularly at the 5 and 10% levels. The SRC appears to be the best additive overall for the three ranks of coal, as judged by its ability to combine with the coal to make a higher strength coke. There appear to be no conclusive coke-strength differences among lithotype samples for any of the three coals, probably because of the small scale of the tests and the relatively small differences in inert maceral content among the lithotypes. Five percent by weight of additive appears to be sufficient, if properly blended with the coal charge, to produce higher strength cokes. This is also probably the maximum economically viable level, particularly in the United States coking industry. Two percent is probably the minimum additive level for adequate mixing on a commercial scale.     

The petrology of greek brown coals

Results are given in the petrography of Greek coals collected from most of the major coal-bearing basins in Greece.Rank was determined by measuring reflectances on the maceral varieties eu-ulminite A and eu-ulminite B and on the maceral textinite. Reflectances obtained from these components indicate a coalification stage of brown coal for all samples. Within this group of samples there is, however, a fairly wide scatter of reflectance values indicating for some of them the transition zone from peat to brown coal and for others a coalification stage close to the transition into bituminous coals. Reflectances obtained from eu-ulminite A and eu-ulminite B were found to correlate well with chemical rank parameters such as volatile matter and calorific value.Composition was determined by maceral analysis. The coals are in general characterized by low amounts of macerals of the inertinite group, low to intermediate amounts of macerals of the liptinite group and high amounts of macerals of the huminite group. Within the latter group densinite, attrinite, eu-ulminite and textinite make up the bulk of the samples.Typical macerals observed in the coals are illustrated by two black and white and three colour plates.Cluster analysis based on maceral distribution, mineral matter and reflectance indicates that the samples studied can be divided into three major groups. The first one is dominated by eu-ulminite and densinite with relatively high reflectances. The second is dominated by attrinite, textinite and texto-ulminite with somewhat lower reflectances. The third is represented by a single sample in which textinite and resinite are the most abundant macerals. This sample also has the lowest reflectance.     

Paleoecology of Middle Pennsylvanian-age peat-swamp plants in Herrin coal,Kentucky, U.S.A.

To develop a method for quantifying the vegetation of Pennsylvania-age coal beds, of four coal-ball (permineralized peat) profiles and four coal column samples from the Herrin coal bed (Kentucky No. 11) Carbondale Formation in western Kentucky were compared. An estimated 89.5% of the coal can be identified botanically. Compaction ratios for individual tissues were estimated using point counts of organic matter in coal balls. The estimated abundances of major plant groups (lycopods, ferns, sphenopsids, and pteridosperms) in coal balls differ by less than 10% compared to coal after accounting for differential compaction of plant tissues. Standard deviations in taxonomic and maceral composition among coal columns are generally less than 2%.Consistent differences in botanical composition were found between benches showing that the method is consistent when applied to sufficient thicknesses of coal. It was not possible to make fine-scale correlations within the coal bed using the vegetational data; either the flora varied considerably from place to place or the method of quantification is unreliable for small increments of coal (5 cm or less).In the coal, pteridosperm abundance is positively correlated with underlying shale partings. This correlation suggests that pteridosperms are favored either by higher nutrient levels or disturbance.In the third of four benches in the Herrin coal bed, a succession from Sigillaria-containing zones to zones dominated by Lepidophloios hallii is interpreted as a shift towards wetter conditions. In the other benches, the main factors controlling the taxonomic composition appear to have been the relative abundance of nutrients and/or the frequency of disturbance as indicated by the relative abundance of partings.Criteria for distinguishing between domed and planar swamps are discussed. These include: distribution of partings, type of plant succession, and changes in plant diversity, average plant size, preservational quality and sporinite content. The infrequency of partings in bench C suggests a peat dome developed while the peat of that bench was accumulating but other evidence either fails to support the development of a peat dome or is ambiguous. The maceral composition resembles those of other Carboniferous coals which are thought to have formed from planar peat swamps.Formation of fusain bands appears to be associated with processes occurring above the peat surface, such as burning or prolonged oxidative exposure. Oxidation of accumulated peat is unlikely because fusain bands rarely include more than a single plant.     

Distribution of environmental sensitive trace elements in the Eocene Sorgun coals, Turkey

The distribution of trace elements in the lower Eocene coal seam mined in the Yeniceltek, Kucukkohne and Ayridam coal mines from the Sorgun Basin was investigated in relation to ash content and maceral composition. The coal seam is mainly composed of huminite. In the present study, 35 samples from five seam sections were collected on the basis of megascopic characteristics. Results were determined using an energy dispersive polarised X-ray fluorescence (EDP-XRF) spectrometer on a whole-coal dry basis. Most of the major and trace elements studied are enriched in high-ash samples, while Ba, Br, Mn and W show relative enrichments in low-ash samples. Most of elements studied, such as Ga, Ce, La, Th, Nb, Rb, Zr, V, Cu, U, Pb, Sb, Cs, Sn, Cr, Se, Y and Zn, are primarily associated with mineral matter (clay minerals). Arsenic and a part of Zn, Se and Sb are probably concentrated in pyrites in the samples. Element concentrations show statistically significant negative correlations with many macerals and positive relationships with only attrinite that is mainly mixed with mineral matter (clay minerals and small quartz grains) in the samples. Nine trace elements (As, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Th and U), considered as potentially Hazardous Air Pollutants, are present in low to moderate concentrations. The mean values of trace element concentrations display relative enrichments in Se (2.8 ppm), Th (21 ppm) and W (26 ppm) in the investigated samples in comparison with other coals in the world.     

Petrographic, mineralogy, and geochemistry of coals of Pabedana, Kerman Province, Central Iran

This paper discusses the result of the detailed investigations carried out on the coal characteristics, including coal petrography and its geochemistry of the Pabedana region. A total of 16 samples were collected from four coal seams d2, d4, d5, and d6 of the Pabedana underground mine which is located in the central part of the Central-East Iranian Microcontinent. These samples were reduced to four samples through composite sampling of each seam and were analyzed for their petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical compositions. Proximate analysis data of the Pabedana coals indicate no major variations in the moisture, ash, volatile matter, and fixed carbon contents in the coals of different seams. Based on sulfur content, the Pabedana coals may be classified as low-sulfur coals. The low-sulfur contents in the Pabedana coal and relatively low proportion of pyritic sulfur suggest a possible fresh water environment during the deposition of the peat of the Pabedana coal. X-ray diffraction and petrographic analyses indicate the presence of pyrite in coal samples. The Pabedana coals have been classified as a high volatile, bituminous coal in accordance with the vitrinite reflectance values (58.75–74.32 %) and other rank parameters (carbon, calorific value, and volatile matter content). The maceral analysis and reflectance study suggest that the coals in all the four seams are of good quality with low maceral matter association. Mineralogical investigations indicate that the inorganic fraction in the Pabedana coal samples is dominated by carbonates; thus, constituting the major inorganic fraction of the coal samples. Illite, kaolinite, muscovite, quartz, feldspar, apatite, and hematite occur as minor or trace phases. The variation in major elements content is relatively narrow between different coal seams. Elements Sc,, Zr, Ga, Ge, La, As, W, Ce, Sb, Nb, Th, Pb, Se, Tl, Bi, Hg, Re, Li, Zn, Mo, and Ba show varying negative correlation with ash yield. These elements possibly have an organic affinity and may be present as primary biological concentrations either with tissues in living condition and/or through sorption and formation of organometallic compounds.     

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.     

Petrographic properties of major coal seams in Turkey and their formation

Most types of coal in Turkey are generally low in rank: lignite, and subbituminous. Most of the coal was formed during the Miocene, Eocene, and Pliocene ages. There are only a few thin Jurassic-age coal occurrences in Turkey. Pennsylvanian age bituminous coal is found on the Black Sea coast. General implications of the petrographic properties of Turkey's coal seams and coal deposits have not yet been taken into consideration comparatively or as a whole.For this study, about 190 channel samples were collected from different locales. The composite profile samples of the seams were taken into considerations. The content and depositional properties as well as some chemical and physical properties of the main coal seams are compared. All coal samples tend to have similar coal petrographic properties and were deposited in intermontane lacustrine basins. Later, they were affected by faulting and post-depositional volcanic activity. As a result, there are variations in the properties and rank of the coal samples. The most abundant coal maceral group is huminite and the most abundant maceral is gelinite. The liptinite and inertinite contents of the coal are low and the maceral contents of the coals show great similarity. The depositional environments of the all coals are lacustrine dominated.     

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.     

乌达矿区煤中显微组分有机硫的赋存分布

应用带能谱的扫描电镜微区测试对乌达矿区煤中不向显微组分的有机硫进行了系统测定，结果表明在不同的显微组分中其有机硫的含量有明显的差异，向一煤样中不同的亚组分中其有机硫的含量不相同，并且同一煤样同一显微亚组分其有机硫的含量亦有不同程度的差异。综合分析发现煤显微组分有机硫含量主要受煤的聚积环境、凝胶化程度、氧化程度等因素的影响。     

Splint coals of the Central Appalachians: Petrographic and geochemical facies of the Peach Orchard No. 3 split coal bed,southern Magoffin County,Kentucky

The Bolsovian (Middle Pennsylvanian) Peach Orchard coal bed is one of the splint coals of the Central Appalachians. Splint coal is a name for the dull, inertinite-rich lithologies typical of coals of the region. The No. 3 Split was sampled at five locations in Magoffin County, Kentucky and analyzed for petrography and major and minor elements. The No. 3 Split coals contain semifusinite-rich lithologies, up to 48% (mineral-free basis) in one case. The nature of the semifusinite varies with position in the coal bed, containing more mineral matter of detrital origin in the uppermost durain. The maceral assemblage of these terminal durains is dominated by detrital fusinite and semifusinite, suggesting reworking of the maceral assemblage coincident with the deposition of the detrital minerals. However, a durain in the middle of the coal bed, while lithologically similar to the uppermost durains, has a degraded, macrinite-rich, texture. The inertinite macerals in the middle durain have less distinct edges than semifusinites in the uppermost terminal durains, suggesting degradation as a possible path to inertinite formation. The uppermost durain has higher ash and semifusinite contents at the eastern sites than at the western sites. The difference in the microscopic petrology indicates that megascopic petrology alone can be a deceptive indicator of depositional environments and that close attention must be paid to the individual macerals and their implications for the depositional setting, especially within the inertinite group.     

Hydrogeologic factors affecting gas content distribution in coal beds

Gas content in coal is not fixed but changes when equilibrium conditions within the reservoir are disrupted. Therefore, gas content distribution in coal varies laterally within individual coal beds, vertically among coal beds in a single well, and within thicker coal beds. Major hydrogeologic factors affecting gas content variability include gas generation, coal properties, and reservoir conditions. Gas generation affects gas content variability on a regional scale, whereas coal properties influence gas content distribution on a regional and local scale. Reservoir conditions affect gas content more locally within specific fields or individual wells. The potential for high gas content is controlled directly by the amount of thermogenic and secondary biogenic gases generated from the coal which in turn are controlled by burial history, maceral composition, and basin hydrodynamics. Variability in mineral matter (ash) and moisture content, sorption behavior among macerals, diffusion coefficients, and permeability result in heterogeneous gas content distribution. Gas content decreases with decreasing pressure and temperature, and coal beds become undersaturated with respect to methane during basin uplift and cooling. Gas content generally increases where conventional and hydrodynamic trapping of coal gases occur and may decrease in areas of active recharge with downward flow potential and/or convergent flow where there is no mechanism for entrapment.     

The geology, petrology and geochemistry of coal seams from the St. Rose and Chimney Corner coalfields, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

Seams from the St. Rose and Chimmey Corner coalfields, Nova Scotia, Canada, were sampled and examined for petrographic and geochemical composition. Rank determinations indicate a rank of high volatile C-B bituminous. Seams show regular alternations of dull and bright microbanded lithotypes, with dull lithotypes predominant in the central portion of the main seam (No. 5 seam). Brighter lithotypes are dominated by vitrinite (>80%), with minor inertinite (avg. 12%) and minor liptinite. Duller lithotypes contain greater amounts of inertinite (up to 40%) and liptinite (primarily sporinite). Mineral matter consists of epigenetic pyrite, with lesser amounts of clay and quartz. Cabonates are common in the Chimney Corner seams. Elemental composition of the seams is similar to other Canadian coals and fall within world coal ranges, with the exception of high concentrations of Cl, Zn, Ni, Mo, Pb, Cu and As.Depositional environment of the seams as indicated by maceral composition, lithotypes and geology suggest a predominance of wet forest to reed moor conditions, in a fluvial-lacustrine setting. Periodic episodes of flooding and drying are indicated by lithotype, maceral and mineral variations.     

王洼煤矿扩大延伸勘探区煤质特征

通过对王洼煤矿扩大延伸勘探区可采煤层煤的煤岩特征、物理化学性质和工艺性能的分析研究,阐述了该区可采煤层煤的煤质特征及其变化规律：该区各可采煤层煤的显微有机组分中镜质组含量大于惰质组,二者约占89％,壳质组占1％左右,煤的无机组分占10％左右,并以粘土矿物为主。水分含量在8％左右,该区自西向东煤的灰分产率、挥发分产率、硫分、水分逐渐降低,属特低灰-低灰、低-中硫、特低磷-低磷,中高-高挥发分,高热值、不具粘结性的长焰煤、不粘煤。     

Interactions between organic matter and minerals in two bituminous coals of different rank

The association between specific mineral and organic constituents in two Asturian bituminous coals of different rank was studied. For this, raw coals were fractionated by density and the variation of a number of parameters was followed in parallel. Results of coal chemical analyses, including analyses for 22 elements, were used to establish the elemental association with coal organic matter. Petrographic analyses determined the distribution of macerals among densimetric fractions, vitrinite reflectance being at a minimum in the intermediate density fractions. Mineral species were identified by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Comparison of trends for different parameters determined using this set of techniques allowed classification of the various minerals according to their association with organic matter. Carbonates seem to be specifically associated with the organic matter of the low-volatile bituminous coal whereas sulfides concentrate in the organic matter of the high-volatile bituminous coal. Vitrinite is the maceral exhibiting the most probable association with inorganic matter. The possibility of a merely physical association of fine-grained detrital minerals with organic matter cannot be excluded; nevertheless, one must bear in mind that even this type of interaction is important due to its effect on various coal preparation and utilization processes.