Abstract
Twenty four (24) coal samples from the eight (8) working collieries of Northumberland coalfield, England, have been studied with the view to analyzing the possible location/concentration of the mineral species in coals. The results of the study showed that their clay mineral suites dominated by kaolinitic types are disseminated products at maceral boundaries, desiccation cracks and at times fissures with no established genetic evidence. The other widespread variety of mineral occurrences, notably calcite, siderite and sometime pyrite in the coal basin and traceable to precipitates in various joints, cleats, cell voids and lumens are associated/formed during epigenetic mineralization episode (post depositional phase), when the macerals have differentiated into their various entities. More importantly, these mineral concentration appears to have been partly or wholly controlled by the semifusinite/fusinite macerals (i.e. particularly those exhibiting “Bogenstruktur”) as the preferred traps and/or infills for coals. With the exception of the nodular pyrite that is said to be linked to both vitrinitic and sometimes liptinitic macerals and are traceable to syngenetic mineralization episodes, the euhedral type pyrite demonstrates a complete unique behaviour by their infill of semifusinite/fusinite macerals which suggests the timing to be of post-depositional phase.KEYWORDS: British coals, Mineral species, Concentration sites
Highlights
The available information on the occurrence, identity and distribution of mineral species with particular references to British coals was prepared by Watt (1968)
A comparative little attention has been given to mineral species and their concentration sites because such an assessment of coals can be said to be purely for scientific reasons
The unique historical events associated with mineral species during the stages of coal forming process have in no way been solved or diminished, instead the depositional mineralization episodes have become more significant at enhancing the increase utilization for coals
Summary
The available information on the occurrence, identity and distribution of mineral species with particular references to British coals was prepared by Watt (1968). The rather inseparable, fixed, intrinsic, intimately interwoven and/or chemically bound to coal components are developed in the diagenetic phase of the coal forming processes This two classes of inorganic input often serve to characterize the coals. Further investigation employed the reflected light/oil immersion and the scanning electron microscopic techniques of coal petrology to identify and locate the relationship of the mineral species within the macerals (Asuen 1984). The advantages of these techniques show that the qualitative information of some major mineral species which include calcite, pyrite, quartz and occasionally siderite can be observed/studied with the slightest difficulty. Bright colour indicates higher concentration while dull colour shows a low level concentration of the elements analyzed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
