Abstract
Fifteen samples of No. 4 coal from the Yongdingzhuang Mine in Datong Coalfield were tested for their elemental compositions, modes of occurrence, and mineralogical compositions, using X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The samples have low sulfur content (0.63%). The major minerals are kaolinite and quartz, followed by pyrite and anatase. Compared with averages for the Chinese coals, the percentages of SiO2 (15.11%), TiO2 (0.7%), and Al2O3 (10.39%) are much higher. In No. 4 coals, Li (62.81 μg/g), Be (6.94 μg/g), Zr (235 μg/g), Ga (17.04 μg/g), F (165.53 μg/g), Tl (1.93 μg/g), and Hg (0.34 μg/g) are some potentially valuable and toxic trace elements with higher concentrations than Chinese coals and World hard coals. Lithium and F mainly have kaolinite associations. With the exception of kaolinite, Li, and F also partly occur in anatase, gorceixite and goyazite. Beryllium largely occurs in anatase; gallium is mainly associated with kaolinite and to a lesser extent, with gorceixite and goyazite; zirconium is associated with kaolinite, gorceixite and goyazite; and thallium and Hg occur in in pyrite. Potentially valuable elements (including Al, Li, Ga, and Zr) might be recovered as value-added byproducts from coal ash. Toxic elements (e.g., Be, F, Tl, and Hg) might have potential adverse effects to the environment and human health during coal processing. In addition, the distribution patterns of rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) indicate that the REY in No. 4 coals originated from the granite of Yinshan Oldland, and natural waters or hydrothermal solutions that may circulate in coal basins.
Highlights
China is the major consumer of coal worldwide, accounting for 50% of the total annual world coal consumption [1] and coal utilization will continue to play a leading role in energy consumption in the future [2]
Many studies have been conducted on the geochemical of the Ordos Basin and the Ningwu Basin, which are adjacent to the Datong Coalfield [18,19]
Characteristics of the Ordos Basin and the Ningwu Basin, which are adjacent to the Datong Coalfield few previous studies have been carried out about the geochemical characteristics on the coals in
Summary
China is the major consumer of coal worldwide, accounting for 50% of the total annual world coal consumption [1] and coal utilization will continue to play a leading role in energy consumption in the future [2]. Many studies have been conducted on the geochemical of the Ordos Basin and the Ningwu Basin, which are adjacent to the Datong Coalfield [18,19]. Characteristics of the Ordos Basin and the Ningwu Basin, which are adjacent to the Datong Coalfield few previous studies have been carried out about the geochemical characteristics on the coals in [18,19]. Few previous studies have been carried out about the geochemical characteristics the Datong Coalfield. This paper primarily reports the mineralogical compositions, geochemical on the coals in the Datong Coalfield. This paper primarily reports the mineralogical compositions, characteristics and origin of the trace elements from the Yongdingzhuang Mine in the Datong Coalfield. Modes of occurrence of these valuable and toxic elements [20]
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