Investigations on the petroleum generation potential of bituminous coals from the Saar region

The Saar basin contains bituminous coals (high volatile A and B). Five coals of Westphalian and Stephanian age with distinctly varying maceral compositions were analysed by Soxhlet extraction and supercritical extraction with different solvents and microscopically. From the data obtained it is concluded that the oldest coals have a potential for oil generation, whereas the younger coals do not. This conclusion is explained by varying liptinite contents and varying adsorption capacities of different vitrinite macerals for bitumen.