Metallurgical Use of Heat Altered Coal: A Case Study

Debjani Nag, A.K. Singh, P.K. Banerjee

R&D Division, Tata Steel Limited, Jamshedpur-831001, India.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2009.87047                

Abstract

The effects of igneous intrusion on coal are observed in various parts of the world. It is found that igneous intrusions have altered the quality and characteristics, especially the coke ability of the coals. It has been estimated that a large quantity of heat affected (jhama) coal is reserved in the Jharia collieries of India. Nowadays, apart from difficulties of mining, its utilization is the biggest issue. This paper presents a brief overview of heat altered coal and also highlights some studies, undertaken in Tata Steel to make best possible metallurgical use of jhama especially in steel industry.

Keywords

Jhama; igneous intrusion; thermally altered; natural coke.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Kwiecinska, B., Petersen, H.I., 2004, “Graphite, Semi-graphite, Natural Coke, and Natural Char Classification-ICCP System.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 57, pp. 99-116.
[2]	Singh, A.K., Singh. M.P., Sen, K., 2003, “New Classification Scheme for Microtextures of Natural Cokes: A Case Study from Heat-affected Coking Coals of Jharia Coal Field, India.” Proceedings, 20th International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, Pittsburgh Coal Conference, September 15-19.
[3]	Singh, A.K., Singh, M.P., Sharma, M., Srivastava, S.K., 2007, “Microstructures and microtextures of Natural Cokes: A Case Study of Heat-altered Coking Coals from the Jharia Coalfield, India.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 71, pp. 153-175.
[4]	Stukalova, I.E., Rusinova, O.V., 2007, “Thermal Alteration of Coal in the Khasyn Coalfield, Magadan Region, Russia.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 71, pp. 462-470.
[5]	Singh, A.K., Sharma, M., Singh, M.P., 2008, “Genesis of Natural Cokes: Some Indian Examples.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 75, pp. 40-49.
[6]	Podwysocki, M.H., Dutcher, R.R., 1971, “Coal Dykes that Intrude Lamprophyre Sills: Pargatoire River Valley, Colorado.” Economic Geology, Vol. 66, pp. 267-280.
[7]	Thorpe, A.N. Senftle, F.E., Finkelman, R.B., Dulong, F.T., Bostick, N.H., 1998, “Change in the Magnetic Properties on Bituminous Coal Intruded by an Igneous Dike.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 36, pp. 243-258.
[8]	Meyers, P.A., Simoneit, B.R.T., 1999, “Effects of Extreme Heating on the Elemental and Isotopic Compositions of an Upper Cretaceous Coal.” Organic Geochemistry, Vol. 30, pp.299-305.
[9]	Murchison, D.G., Raymond, A.C., 1989, “Igneous Activity and Organic Maturation in the Midland Valley of Scotland.” International journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 14, pp. 47-82.
[10]	Taylor, G.H., 1961, “Development of Optical Properties of Coke during Carbonization.” Fuel, Vol. 40, pp. 465-471.
[11]	Kisch H.J., Taylor, G.H., 1966a, “Metamorphism and Alteration near an Intrusive Contact.” Economic Geology, Vol. 61, pp. 343-361.
[12]	Kisch, H.J., 1966b, “Carbonization of Semi-anthracitic Vitrinite by an Analcime Basanite Sill.” Economic Geology, Vol. 61, pp. 1043-1063.
[13]	Gurba, L.W., Ward, C.R., 2000, “Elemental Compositions of Coal Macerals in Relation to Vitrinite Refelctance.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol.44, pp. 127-144.
[14]	Othman, R., Ward, C.R., 2002, “Thermal Maturation Pattern in the Southern Bowen, Northern Gunnedah and Surat Basins, Northern New South Wales.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 51, pp. 145-167.
[15]	Brown, H.R., Taylor, G.H., 1961, “Some Remarkable Anthracitic Coal.” Fuel, Vol. 40, pp. 211-224.
[16]	Zheng, Z., Zhang, J., Huang, J.Y., 1996, “Observations of Microstructure and Reflectivity of Coal Graphites for Two Locations in China.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 30, pp. 277-284.
[17]	Ren, D., Zhao, F., Wang, Y., Yang, S., 1999, “Distributions of Minor and Trace Elements in Chinese Coals.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 40, pp. 109-118.
[18]	Ghosh, T.K., 1970, “Reflectance of Himalayan Coal.” Fuel, Vol. 49, pp. 226-228.
[19]	Kwiencinska, B.K., Hamburg, G., Vleeskens, J.M., 1992, “Formation temperature of Natural Coke in the Lower Silesian Coal Basin, Poland. Evidence from Pyrite and Clays by SEM-EDX.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 21, pp. 217-235.
[20]	Ward, C.R., Warbrooke , P.R., Roberts,F.I., 1989, “Geochemical and Mineralogical Changes in a Coal Seam due to Contact Metamorphism., Sydney Basin, New South Wales, Australia.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 11, pp. 105-125.
[21]	Finkelman, R.B., Bostick, N.H., Dulong, F.T., Senftle, F.E., Thorpe, A.N., 1998, “Influence of an Igneous Intrusion on the Inorganic Geochemistry of a Bituminous Coal from Pitkin County, Colorado.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 36, pp. 223-241.
[22]	Goodarzi, F., Cameron, A.R., 1990, “Organic Petrology and Elemental Distribution in Thermally Altered Coals from Telkwa, British Columbia.” Energy Resources, Vol. 12, pp.315-343.
[23]	Merritt, R.D., 1985, “Thermal Alteration and Rank Variation of Coal in the Matanuska Field, South-Central Alaska.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 14, pp. 255-276.
[24]	Querol, X., Alastuey, A., Lopez-Soler, A., Plana, F., Fernandez-Turiel, J.L., Zeng, R., Xu, W., Zhuang, X., Spiro, B., 1997, “Geological Controls on the Mineral Matter and Trace Elements of Coals from the Fuxin Basin, Liaoning Province, Northeast China.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 34, pp. 89-109.
[25]	Querol, X., Alastuey, A., Zhuang, X., Hover, J.C., Lopez-Soler, A., Plana, F., Zeng, R., 2001, “Petrology, Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Premian and Triassic Coals in Leping Area, Jiangsi Province, Southeast China.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 48, pp. 23-45.
[26]	Alexandra, G.N., Paul, C.F., 2004, “Changes in Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Thermally Altered Coal, Upper Hunter Valley, Australia.” International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 57, pp. 197-210.
[27]	Suchy, V., Frey, M., Wolf, M., 1997, “Vitrinite Reflectance and Shear Induced Graphitization in Orogenic belts: A case Study from the Kandersteg is, Helvetic Alps, Switzerland.” International journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 34, pp. 1-20.
[28]	Bourrat, X., Oberlin, A., Escalier, J.C., 1986, “Microtexture and Structure of Semi-Cokes and Cokes.” Fuel, Vol. 65, pp. 1490-1500.
[29]	Goodarzi, F., Murchison, D.G., 1977, “Effect of Prolonged Heating on the Optical Properties of Vitrinite.” Fuel, Vol. 56, pp. 80-96.
[30]	Munshi, P.L., 1995, “Experience of Dealing with Fires in Jharia Coal Field-Introduction of Diagnostic Technique.” National Seminar on Mine Fires, Varanasi, pp. 82-90.
[31]	Banerjee, S.C., 1985, “Spontaneous Combustion of Coals and Mine Fires.” AA Balkerma, Rotterdam.
[32]	Malhotra, K.K., Rai, P.N., 1989, “Land Subsidence Due to Fires and Measures Taken to Combat the Effects on Structures - A Case Study.” Proceedings: International Symposium on Land Subsidence, pp. 331-339.
[33]	Singh, R., Singh, A.K., Mandal, P.K., 2002, “Cuttability of Coal Seams with Igneous Intrusions.” Engineering Geology, Vol. 67, pp. 127-137.