Talcher Coals Research Articles

Environmental Impact of Coal Mining on Local Livelihoods in Odisha, India

The study aims to examine the sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF) of local people in Talcher coal mining in Odisha. The study used five types of capital such as human, social, financial, physical and natural. The Herfindahl Hirschman index has been used to differentiate income diversification in mining villages and control villages. The backwards step-wise multiple regression model has been used to show the relationship between expenditure and different socio-economic variables in the mining villages. The Mining has a positive footprint on physical capital. But it has detrimental effects on natural and mixed effects on human, social and financial capital in the mining villages. The Herfindahl index and multiple regression models revealed that mining has a positive influence on the livelihoods of people in the mining area. There is more livelihoods diversification in the mining villages than in the control villages. The standard of living and income has increased in the mining villages. There are some challenges faced by the mining communities such as job insecurity and livelihoods insecurity for their children. The adverse impact of coal mining on livelihoods can be minimised by controlling environmental degradation through rigorous monitoring. Further, there should be proper coordination between the state government and coal mining companies to provide benefits to the affected communities and conduct different training programmes on driving, computer training and tailoring to people who not engaged in mining activities. Institutional farsightedness is required to ensure sustainable livelihoods for local people.

Organic petrography and stable isotopic characteristics of Permian Talcher coal, India: Implications on depositional environment

The depositional environment of coal generally controls its chemical composition, physical properties, and utilization potential. Therefore, the present study investigates the depositional environment of the Talcher coal, which represents the single largest coal reserve in India, based on proximate, ultimate and petrography analyses, as well as on the determination of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic composition. The Talcher coal is classified as sub-bituminous to high volatile bituminous rank based on the vitrinite reflectance (0.40–0.59%), volatile matter (43.0–55.1%), and carbon content (71.2–79.3%). The ash yield varies from 12.4 to 39.3%. Petrographically, the coal is dominated by vitrinite (48.4–64.2%) followed by inertinite (21.4–36.2%) and liptinite (10.0–16.8%). The mesotrophic to rheotrophic water conditions in the palaeomire is deciphered by the vitrinite to inertinite ratio (V/I) and the groundwater index (GWI). The coal was formed in a telmatic environment where forested vegetation prevailed. The recorded TPI values (>1) indicate a high tree density. The δ13C and δ15N values of Talcher coal range from −23.7‰ to −21.7‰ and +0.6‰ and +3.4‰, respectively. The total organic carbon to total nitrogen ratio (TOC/TN) of the coal lies between 20 and 40, which reflects the dominance of vascular higher terrestrial plants as the source vegetation. The δ13C composition of coal corresponds to that of the C3 land plants. Both δ13C and δ15N composition of Talcher coal falls within their respective global coal values. The δ13C composition of the palaeoatmospheric CO2 (δ13Cair) is found to be −3.7 ± 0.5‰ and − 2.6 ± 0.5‰ applying Arens and Gröcke equations, respectively, and they are in agreement with the global Permian δ13Cair (−5.6 to −2.3‰).

Characters of Liptinites in Different Seams of Talcher Coalfield, Odisha, India

ABSTRACT Lower Gondwana coals of Talcher coalfield extends along the south-eastern part of the Mahanadi valley. Coal samples from six different seams, viz. Seam-I, II, III, IV, VIII and IX of Nandira, Lingaraj and Hingula colliery of Talcher coalfield were taken for study. The detailed petrographic study was carried out with special emphasis on identifying and calculating the distribution of various types of liptinite macerals. The coal seams overall are found to be dominated by vitrinite followed by inertinite and liptinite. The liptinite group macerals were characterized with the help of fluorescence microscopy. It is observed that sporinites, particularly microspores, were predominant in all the above seams. Megaspores and resinites were identified in Seams-I and II only. Seams-I and VIII with comparatively higher liptinite content (3-16 vol.%) could be considered favourable for coal liquefaction and gasification. However, the overall low liptinite content (<5 vol.%) of Talcher coals indicates a telmatic swampy paleoenvironment of deposition. The generated data on various liptinite types can serve as facies indicators and help in seam correlation.

Geochemical characteristics, origin and forms of sulphur distribution in the Talcher coalfield, India

Geochemical studies conducted on samples from the Talcher coal field can help elucidate the occurrence, origin and different forms of Sulphur in the area. In this coalfield, sulphur is present as organic sulphur, pyritic sulphur, and sulphate sulphur. The total sulphur concentration ranges from 0.5% to 1.13%, which falls under category of low-sulphur coals. Organic sulphur accounts for 70%, and pyritic sulphur accounts for 25% of the total sulphur in the Talcher coal. The presence of a minor proportion of sulphate sulphur (approximately ≤ 5%) indicates that Talcher coals are formed under non-marine environmental conditions. Results from proximate analysis expose the gross composition of coal. The air dried results indicate that, the moisture content varies from 2.6 to 4.8%, ash content ranges from 29.7 to 45.6%, volatile matter ranges from 24.54 to 29.65%, and fixed carbon content varies from 25.96 to 37.25%. It is observed that when the ash percentage of coal samples is less than 40%, the gross calorific value of the Talcher coalfield ranges from 4000 to 5000 kcal/kg, and when the ash percentage of the coal samples is greater than 40%, the gross calorific value is less than 3000 kcal/kg. The elemental compositions of the Talcher coalfield were also determined based on the dry mineral matter free basis. Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, and oxygen content were determined. Macerals and mineral matter were studied using a coal Petrological microscope. It was observed that macerals account for 69% of the total mass of coal while pyrite represent 1.8% and other minerals 29.28%. Results obtained using the field emission scanning electron microscope technique show that the major sulphide minerals present in the Talcher coals are pyrite (FeS2) and marcasite (FeS2), with pyrite being the more common. Sphalerite (ZnS) was found in some samples. The study has revealed the geochemical characteristics, origin and forms of sulphur distribution in the Talcher coalfield.

Health Damages from Air Pollution: Evidence from Opencast Coal Mining Region of Odisha, India

The present study examines the productive day’s loss of local communities in the opencast coal mining region of Angul (Talcher) district in Odisha, due to respiratory illness, by using the dose-response function model. The productive day’s loss is estimated in terms of restricted activities or work days lost, due to severe respiratory illness (RI), induced by air pollution. Health diaries are analyzed through the seasonal household survey to predict the likelihood of RI-related sickness (in terms of the restricted days) of the residents of the mining region (due to air pollution). Poisson and negative binomial regression are fitted for the purpose of count data analysis. The regression result confirms that there is a positive and significant relationship between the level of air pollution (respiratory suspended particulate matter (RSPM)/particulate matter less than 10 g/m3(PM10) and RI-related sick days, depicting that a reduction in air pollution level (PM10) may cause a reduction in expected number of RI-related sick days in the coal mining region. Further monetary welfare gain from avoiding the RI-related sick days are estimated for the population of Talcher coal mining area, Odisha

A comparison study of Singareni and Talcher coal samples through elemental analysis using PIXE technique

A comparative study of trace elements in Singareni and Talcher coals was carried out using Particle Induced X-ray Emission technique with a 3 MeV proton beam. Concentrations of sixteen elements, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr and Pb were obtained and compared with Clarke’s values to ascertain the enrichment factor for each. Pearson correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses were used to understand the relationship between the inorganic constituents of coal. It is anticipated that this study of trace elements in coals will be useful to protect environment and to regulate the emission of toxic elements during coal combustion and utilization.

Role of Maceral Composition on the Formulation of Concentrated Coal-Water Slurry Using a Natural Surfactant

The stabilization of coal-water slurry(CWS) depends on both inherent properties of coal and the external factors like solution pH, presence of additives, temperature, modulation of coal surface by ultrasonic radiation or microwave treatment etc. The rank and chemical composition i.e. mineral and maceral composition of coal are very much important in the formulation of CWSand some other applications of coal. The present investigation involves the formulation and stabilization of CWS using four varieties of non-coking Indian coalsstabilized by a natural surfactant saponin as dispersant. Proximate and ultimate analyses of coal were investigated to get first hand information on the compositions of the coals. The reflectance and X-ray diffraction studies indicated the amount of macerals and minerals present in the coals under investigation. The rheological parameters of CWS were analyzed by coal-loading, dispersant percentage, solution pH and temperature. The CWS formed from all coals followed the Bingham plastic model and behaved as a Non-Newtonian fluid in the presence of saponin. The static stability of CWS prepared from Talcher coals was however, found to be superior to that prepared fromIb river valley coals. The extent of the maceral and mineral percentage was assigned to be the primary reason for the variation in the slurry behaviour

Chemical characteristics and trace element concentration of non coking coals from Talcher Coal Fields, Orissa, India

The present study investigates the details on the aspects of Coal quality such as proximate, ultimate, calorific value and trace element concentration and its impact on human health. Trace elements are present in very low percentage in coal but their concentration increases manifold after coal combustion and utilization. Throughout the process of coal production as well as consumption, trace elements are released from coal. Their release into the surrounding atmosphere largely depends on the nature of their association with coal, also known as, their modes of occurrence. A number of samples have been collected by using Channel Sampling method from different locations of Talcher coalfield. The statistical analysis of trace elements has also been computed. The coal of the study region has moderate moisture content (2.9% to 7.6%, average 5.04%), volatile matter (19% to 24%, average 21.57%), fixed carbon content (16.6% to 27.5%, average 21.3%) and ash content (42.7% to 61.5%, average 51.86%). It has been observed that most of the trace elements in coal have higher concentration as compared with the World and USA values. The matrix correlation coefficient of ash indicates that iron and sodium show positive correlation, hence it can be regarded to have inorganic association. It gives a better knowledge of coal quality characteristics which may help to reduce some of the health problems caused by the trace elements. K ey w o r d s: Trace elements, Coal Characteristics, Proximate Analysis, Ultimate Analysis

Petrographic and Geochemical Characterization of Coal from Talcher Coalfield, Mahanadi Basin, India

Abstract: In the present study an attempt has been made to characterize the coals of Talcher coalfield employing petrographic and geochemical techniques on a large number of coal samples. Pillar coal samples were collected from all the six workable coal seams, which occur in the Karharbari (Seam-I) and the Barakar (Seams II, III, IV, V and IX) formations. The petrographic study shows that these coals are vitrinite rich followed by the liptinite and inertinite groups. The quantitative maceral analysis suggests that the concentration of vitrinite is higher in the Karharbari coals as compared to the Barakar coals while the amount of liptinite is greater in the coals of Barakar Formation. The concentration of inertinite is almost same in the coals of these two formations. The microlithotype analysis shows the dominance of vitrite, clarite, vitrinetite and inertite. The concentration of liptite, clarodurite, duroclarite and vitrinertoliptite are insignificant. The mean vitrinite reflectance of the Karharbari coal is higher than that of the Barakar coals. The vitrinite reflectance values rank the Karharbari coal as High volatile Bituminous ‘C’ to High Volatile ‘B’ Bituminous and the Barakar coal as Sub-Bituminous ‘A’ to High Volatile Bituminous ‘C’. The study reveals that the Talcher coals have originated under wet moor with intermittent moderate to high flooding and the fluctuation in the water table has ultimately resulted in the variation in the petrographic and chemical contents of the two coals.

Physico-Chemical Analysis of Surface and Groundwater around Talcher Coal Field, District Angul, Odisha, India

The present study deals with the water quality of Talcher Area. Sample was collected from Ghats of river Brahmani, tube well and tap water of different colonies in Monsoon and in Post Monsoon. The collected sample was analysed in P.G Department of Environmental Sciences, Sambalpur University. The parameters studied were DO, pH, Conductivity, Temperature, Sodium, Potassium, Dissolve Oxygen, Total Solid, Chloride, Alkalinity, Hardness, Sulphate, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate, Phosphate and Fluoride. Water quality index was calculated by using NSF water quality index. Analyzed data were compared with the standard IS: 2296 (Surface Water Quality Standard) and IS: 10500 (Drinking water Quality Standard). The maximum pH of 7.91 ± 0.17 was found at Jagannath Ghat. Maximum average conductivity was found as 559.28 ± 8.92 μS/cm in tube well water of Jagannath colony and minimum was 90.66 ± 1.15 μS/cm in Tarini Ghat. Temperature was maximum 28.5°C ± 0.36°C in tube well water of C.W.S. Colony. The maximum Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Alkalinity and Nitrate content was recorded as 12.37 ± 1.23, 95.9 ± 7.75, 541.66 ± 2.84 and 24.27 ± 0.61 mg/L respectively in tube well water of Balanda colony. The high dissolved oxygen content was recorded as 7.92 ± 0.34 mg/L in tap water of C.W.S. colony. Maximum hardness value was recorded as 326.69 ± 5.30 mg/L in tube well water of C.W.S. colony. The high value of COD and Sulphate was recorded as 188 ± 8 and 132 ± 5.43 mg/L in tube well water of Jagannath colony. Maximum Phosphate and Fluoride content was recorded as 423.27 ± 2.59 and 664.23 ± 5.03 μg/L respectively in Paschimeswar Ghat. Statistical calculation was subjected to two-way ANOVA and Correlation coefficient.

The Steam Gasification of Coal under Milder Low Temperature Conditions—Nonisothermal Kinetics Studies for Reactor Design

Advanced systems of power generation, such as integrated gasification combined cycle power generation, are being demonstrated as the next generation of clean coal technology. It is important commercially to exploit the coal in such a way that premium and added value chemicals are recovered from coal before subjecting this to destructive gasification to yield the smallest molecules, such as H2 and CO, from coal macromolecules (C~20–C~240). In the present studies, original Talcher coal was subjected to organo-refining using coal-derived solvents, such as anthracene oil and liquid paraffin. The residual coal obtained from organo-refining was pyrolyzed in steam atmosphere. The kinetics of the low temperature steam gasification of the original coal, residual coal, and their chars was studied. These studies would help in designing the reactor for the steam gasification of coals, residual coals, and chars, thereof. These pretreatments beneficially disrupt the structure of coal by exposing more active sites on the surface, by exposing more mineral matter, and by affording sufficient residual volatile matter in treated coals/chars to render these reactive for the steam gasification.

A study of physico-chemical and mineralogical properties of Talcher coal fly ash for stowing in underground coal mines

This study examines the suitability of Talcher coal fly ash for stowing in the nearby underground coal mines based on their physico-chemical and mineralogical analysis. The physical properties such as bulk density, specific gravity, particle size distribution, porosity, permeability and water holding capacity etc. have been determined. From the chemical characterization it is found that the ash samples are enriched predominantly in silica (SiO 2), alumina (Al 2O 3) and iron oxides (Fe 2O 3), along with a little amount of CaO, and fall under the Class F fly ash category. In addition, the mineral phases identified in the ash samples are quartz, mullite, magnetite, and hematite. The particle morphological analysis revealed that the ash particles are almost spherical in shape and the bulk ash porous in nature. From the particle size and permeability point of view, pond ash may be considered a better stowing material than fly ash.

Peroxy Complex and Crossing Point Temperature of Talcher Coals - An Adducer to Assess the Spontaneous Combustibility Character

Spontaneous combustibility character of the Talcher coals has been measured in terms of peroxy complex and crossing point temperature. Coal samples collected from the two horizons i.e. Karharbari Formation and Barakar Formation were separately studied and the values measured for the aforesaid parameters were recorded. It was found that the coals of this coalfield are highly prone to spontaneous combustion but the coals of the Karharbari Formation show less proneness compared to Barakar Formation.  Keywords: Peroxy complex; Crossing point temperature; Spontaneous combustion; Talcher coalfield; Orissa. © 2009 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237(Print); 2037-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v1i1.1696

Studies on the Reaction Engineering of Combustion and Carbonization of Indian Coals, Depolymerized Coals and Residual Coal Obtained After Organo-Refining

Kinetics of the combustion of original and depolymerized Assam, Raniganj and Talcher coals and Neyveli lignite has been studied under non-isothermal conditions in a thermogravimetric analysis apparatus by employing Coats and Redfern kinetic modeling. Depolymerization of coals through acidic phenoation was found to improve the reactivity of the coals for combustion. Similarly, depolymerization reaction also led to the improvement in the pyrolysis behavior of coals. The order and activation energy of the reactions have been reported. The kinetics studies of the residual coal obtained after the successive solvent extraction of coal has also been studied. The present studies on the reaction engineering of coal conversion and utilization technologies may help in the reactor design and in the process development engineering.

FTIR Study of Lower Gondwana Coal from Talcher, Orissa

Abstract Functional groups and mineral matters in Talcher coal have been identified with the help of FTIR. Oxygen bearing functional group mostly hydroxyl is common in bulk as well as different lithotypes. Minerals such as kaolinite, quartz, goethite etc. have been identified from the spectra. The functional groups data have been used to interpret the conditions of formation of the different lithotypes.

EFFECT OF SOLVOLYTIC EXTRACTION AND PYROLYSIS PRETREATMENTS ON THE TOEMPRATURE STEAM GASIFICATION REACTTVITY OF COAL AND REDUCTION OF TAR FORMATION IN PRODUCT GASES

ABSTRACT Pre-extraction of Talcher coal ( a bituminous coal) in anthracene oil was found to be a beneficial treatment for enhancing the reactivity for steam gasification of coal. Similarly, anthracene oil followed by liquid paraffin extraction of coal was also found to be a-better pretreatment for the steam gasification of coal. Anthracene oil extraction at 270°Cand steaming of coal at 650°C had almost equal effect on steam gasification of coal. Pyrolysis in steam of pre-extracted coals was found to further enhance the reactivity of coal for steam gasification. The studies were further confirmed by carrying out thermogravimetric analysis of pretreated coals in steam atmosphere. Degree of cross-linking in pretreated coals was studied by measurement of swelling of coal in quinoline. The formation of tar in gaseous product was reduced as a result of pre-extraction and steam pyrolysis of coal prior to their gasification in steam.

Quantitative determination of minerals in Indian coal by X-ray diffraction

The main constituents of Indian non-coking coal are silicates and quartz. When both silicates and quartz are present in a sample only X-ray diffraction can be used for the quantitative determination of these mineral phases. A method has been developed to determine the α-quartz content in the different size fractions of Talcher run of mines coal. It has been found from X-ray fluorescence analysis of silica and alumina that a linear relationship exists in Talcher coal just like other coal samples of non-Indian origin. The relationship has been found to follow the equation: ( SiO) 2 intotal = ( SiO 2) quartz + p( Al 2 O 3) where p = 1.69.

Petrographic and sporological studies of some coals from Talcher coalfield, Orissa, India

The present paper outlines petrographic and sporological studies of coals from Nandira and South-Balanda mines of Talcher coalfield in the Mahanadi Coal Basin, Orissa, India. No previous knowledge exists about petro-palynological characters of these coals although general microstructural details of Talcher coals have been established.
 The coals investigated are dull in appearance and non-banded. They are composed of Durain, Vitrain and Fusain components. Durain forms the main component with narrow short black lenticles of Fusain. The microscopic study of Durain component indicates Vitrinite, Exinite, and Inertinite as main macerals. Exinite constitutes microspores, megaspores and microsporangia. Vitrain and Fusain components under microscope show Vitrinite and Fusinite macerals showing woody structure. Trimacerites form the bulk of the microlithotypes.
 Sporological studies of these coals reveal a large variety of miospores. The miospore assemblage in the coals comprises of trilete, monolete, monosaccate and disaccate forms. Genera Punctatisporites, Parasaccites, Virkkipollenitcs, Sulcatisporites, Lunatisporites, Stotersporites, Faunipollenites and Cuneatisporites are well represented. Saccate sporomorphs constitute a large group in the miospore assemblage. Among saccate forms the genus Parasaccites dominates in miospore distribution. Petro-palynological characters of the coals investigated indicate that by and large they are of non-banded Durain component composed mostly of saccate forms. (predominated by monosaccates), resembling the main seam of Talcher coalfield in palyno-petrographic composition. Presence of mineral matter, high proportion of Inertinite and Exinite constituted by spores, and less amount of vitrain and Clarain indicate high moisture content and low grade quality coals.

Petrology of Talcher coals

A detailed study of the microstructure and composition of lower Gondwana coals of the Barakar stage (Permian) of the Talcher field, Orissa, India, shows them to be noncoking to feebly coking, high- volatile bituminousrank, indistinctly banded coals composed mainly of durain with subordinate vitrain and fusain.

Fungal Bodies in Talcher Coals

Fungal Bodies in Talcher Coals