Abstract
The accurate identification of clay minerals in coal is important because of their high relative abudance and because they give an indication of the environment of coal deposition. In addition, there is evidence that clay minerals may act catalytically in several coal liquefaction processes. Current methods used for identification of clay minerals in coal are shown to be subject to errors because the method of separation of the clay fraction leaves the clay partially or totally saturated with sodium. The sodium-saturated clay makes identification of smectite, vermiculite, and interstratified clay minerals very difficult, especially where one or more co-exist in the clay fraction. A method based upon selective cation saturation with potassium and magnesium is shown to allow identification of several additional clay species in the low-temperature ash of coal not detectable using the sodium-saturated clay.
Published Version
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