Effect of Heat on Organic and Inorganic Components in Some Non-coking Lower Gondwana Coals

Abstract

The concentration of different maceral groups and minerals in coal influence the quality as each of them behaves differently during heat treatment. The purpose of this study is to know how these are behaving at different temperature conditions. Therefore, various macerals and minerals were concentrated by using heavy liquids of different specific gravities (1.3, 1.7 and 1.9). The generated density fractions were treated with heat at 400, 600, 800 and 1000 degrees C. All the density fractions at various temperature conditions along with feed sample were investigated by optical microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, electron-probe microanalysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The results suggest that fusinite and sclerotinite are the most stable macerals, whereas quartz is the most stable mineral. Telocollinite is found to be oxidized very prominently at 400 degrees C. Siderite and pyrite alter to form hematite above 400 degrees C and 800 degrees C, respectively. Kaolinite converts to metakaolin followed by mullite with increasing temperature.