Liberation studies of padhrar coal by using fractionation method, XRD analysis and megascopic and microscopic techniques

Abstract

This research study aims to establish liberation characteristics of Padhrar coal by using various methods including fractionation method, megascopic and microscopic analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Sieve analysis revealed that more than 83% of the coal lied in the medium particle size range of -26.670+6.680 mm. The results of fractionation analysis indicated that most of the sulphur was found in the smaller sized fractions having particle size less than 6.680 mm while most of the ash was found to be associated at larger particle size (+26.670 mm) and at relatively smaller particle size (-6.680 mm). It was found that Padhrar coal consisted of three major minerals namely; quartz, pyrite and kaolinite. These minerals were found to be associated with organic matter at different particle size levels, thus making the nature of the Padhrar coal more complex for its cleaning.