Abstract
The molecular structure of coal is estimated by 13 parameters of infrared spectra, electron paramagnetic resonance, volatile yield and ash content. A new criterion of hydrophobicity is applied, which has shown its informativeness in analyzing the molecular structure of coals of various ranks. It is more sensitive to changes in coal rank than the standard index of volatile yield. The coalification process leads to a significant increase in this index due to the water release and other hydroxyl-containing compounds from the substance of coal. Two-way analysis of variance showed that the influence of the metamorphism factor is significant for 9 molecular parameters. The strongest effects are manifested in the sorption capacity, the criterion of hydrophobicity and the number of paramagnetic centers. The stratigraphic factor does not have a significant impact on one of the molecular parameters. Factor analysis by the method of principal components of the molecular structure of coal showed that the most significant independent factors are metamorphism and sedimentation conditions, the latter ones include independent processes: accumulation of mineral components, decomposition of biomass and geochemical environment during the sedimentation period.
Highlights
The complexity of the current economic situation in Ukraine, to a large extent, is due to a shortage of energy resources, there is about 56.7 billion tons of coal in the depths of the main coal-bearing basins; and methane resources in the coal-bearing stratum, according to assessments of various researchers, are 12-25 trillion m3
Since it is not possible to comprehensively characterize the whole diversity of the molecular structure of coal with several parameters, we briefly examine Diffuse Reflection Infrared Fourier Transformation (DRIFT) of several particular cases of variations in the molecular structure of coal, which are comparable in the degree of metamorphism depending on the formation depth
The factor analysis by the method of the main components of the molecular structure parameters in coal showed that the most significant independent component is metamorphism, which is a combination of temperature gradients, pressures and various tectonic influences
Summary
The complexity of the current economic situation in Ukraine, to a large extent, is due to a shortage of energy resources, there is about 56.7 billion tons of coal in the depths of the main coal-bearing basins; and methane resources in the coal-bearing stratum, according to assessments of various researchers, are 12-25 trillion m3. There are a fairly large number of theoretical and experimental studies on the structure and state of coal by various physical, physicochemical and chemical methods [1]. Given the complexity and multifactorial nature of external processes, researchers, as a rule, analyze in detail the change in one of the factors. The study of the cumulative effect in a number of external factors and the selection of the main one, formed the modern structure of coal, is relevant and is a necessary link in the research of the formation of coalgas deposits
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
