Characteristics of coal quality and their relationship with coal-forming environment: A case study from the Zhuji exploration area, Huainan coalfield, Anhui, China

Abstract

The comprehensive information of coal quality and its relationship with coal-forming environment in Zhuji exploration area, Huainan coalfield Anhui, China, have been studied. The data of coal quality including proximate and ultimate analysis, calorific values, sulfur forms, petrography and selected trace elements (Ga, Ge, V, U, Th, Cl and As) are based on 614 samples of 13 minable coal seams from 88 drilling holes collected during exploration periods. These data were designed to provide information on the technological performance of coal. Characteristics of coal quality deposited in three different sedimentary environments, namely in coal-bearing strata of the Shanxi Formation, Lower Shihezi Formation and Upper Shihezi Formation, were analyzed. Results show that moisture, volatile matter, and ash yield all increase stratigraphically upward, which is opposite to the variation of calorific values. The correlation between ash yield and calorific value shows negatively higher relevance that than of moisture and ash yield. The coal quality parameters of the boreholes along the divided faults were rarely controlled by geological setting. It was suggested that other factors such as magmatic activity and underground water cycling may modify the parameters of coal quality to some extent and cause their redistribution.