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Influence of particle size on maceral and mineral distribution in Lower Gondwana coals of India

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Abstract

Physical separation of the organic and inorganic constituents in coal mostly depends on the degree of association and the manner of their distribution. The liberation of macerals and minerals in coal holds a vital role in the effectiveness of coal-washing technologies. The intent of the study is to observe the effect of particle size on the distribution of both macerals and minerals in coal. Different size fractions were generated, viz. −3350+1000μm, −1000+500μm, −500+212μm, −212+150μm, 150+75μm, 75+45μm and −45μm by using Indian standard sieves. Petrographic studies were carried out for all the size fractions to understand the distribution and the degree of liberation of macerals and minerals with respect to particle sizes. The results showed that the concentration of vitrinite gradually increases while inertinite and liptinite decrease with the decrease in particle size. Mineral matters decrease/increase with particle size depending upon the nature of associated minerals. Also, the particle size influences the type of mineral matter association depending upon their hardness.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Director, CSIR-IMMT, for permitting us to publish this paper. We express our sincere gratitude to Dr. B. Nayak for his guidance throughout the work. We are also thankful to Dr. B. K. Nayak and Dr. D. Satpathy of the Mineral Processing Department for extending their support in the analytical work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India

    Rajesh Bhatta & Nilima Dash

  2. CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013, India

    Rajesh Bhatta & Nilima Dash

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  1. Rajesh Bhatta
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  2. Nilima Dash
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Correspondence to Nilima Dash.

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Bhatta, R., Dash, N. Influence of particle size on maceral and mineral distribution in Lower Gondwana coals of India. Arab J Geosci 16, 188 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11286-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11286-4

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