International Journal of Clean Coal and Energy, 2013, 2, 58-67
Published Online November 2013 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/ijcce)
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ijcce.2013.24007
Open Access IJCCE
Characterization of Size and Density Separated
Fractions of a Bituminous Coal as a Feedstock for
Entrained Slagging Gasification
Nari Soundarrajan1, Nandakumar Krishnamurthy1, Sarma V. Pisupati1,2
1John and Willie Leonie Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering and EMS Energy Institute, The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, USA
2National Energy Technology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Morgantown, USA
Email: sxp17@psu.edu
Received August 22, 2013; revised September 23, 2013; accepted September 30, 2013
Copyright © 2013 Nari Soundarrajan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution Li-
cense, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
ABSTRACT
Coal is one of the main sources of energy in many parts of the world and has one of the largest reserves/production ra-
tios amongst all the non-renewable energy sources. Gasification of coal is one among the advanced technologies that
has potential to be used in a carbon constrained economy. However, gasification availability at several commercial
demonstrations had run into problems associated with fouling of syngas coolers due to unpredictable flyash formation
and unburnt carbon losses. Computer models of gasifiers are emerging as a powerful tool to predict gasifier perform-
ance and reliability, without expensive testing. Most computer models used to simulate gasifiers tend to model coal as a
homogenous entity based on bulk properties. However, coal is a heterogeneous material and comminution during feed-
stock preparation produces particle classes with different physical and chemical properties. It is crucial to characterize
the heterogeneity of the feedstocks used by entrained flow gasifiers. To this end, a low ash US bituminous coal that
could be used as a gasifier feedstock was segregated into density and size fractions to represent the major mineral mat-
ter distributions in the coal. Float and sink method and sieving were employed to partition the ground coal. The organic
and inorganic content of all density fractions was characterized for particle size distribution, heating value, ultimate
analysis, proximate analysis, mineral matter composition, ash composition, and petrographic components, while size
fractions were characterized for heating value, ash composition, ultimate and proximate analysis. The proximate, ulti-
mate and high heating value analysis showed that variation in these values is limited across the range of size fractions,
while the heterogeneity is significant over the range of density fractions. With respect to inorganics, the mineral matter
in the heavy density fractions contribute significantly to the ash yield in the coal while contributing very little to its
heating value. The ash yield across the size fractions exhibits a bimodal distribution. The heterogeneity is also signifi-
cant with respect to the base-to-acid ratio across the size and density fractions. The results indicate that the variations in
organic and inorganic content over a range of density and size classes are significant, even in the low ash, vitrinite rich
coal sample characterized here. Incorporating this information appropriately into particle population models used in
gasifier simulations will significantly enhance their accuracy of performance predictions.
Keywords: Slag; Fly-Ash; Entrained-Flow Gasifier; Clean Coal Technology; Mineral Transformations; Partioning
1. Introduction
Coal is an abundant and economical fuel source. It is
used for supplying over 40% of the electricity in the
United States and occupies a similar share at the global
level too [1]. Global coal consumption rose by 5.4% in
2011 and retains the fastest growth among non-renew-
able fuels [2]. However, growing environmental con-
cerns bring about an increased interest in the develop-
ment of clean coal technologies, in particular, coal gasi-
fication [3,4]. The development of advanced technolo-
gies such as gasification and construction of new plants
requires fundamental understanding of coal properties
and their impact on gasifier performance [5-8].
Coal is a highly complex mineral in nature, due to the
variations in vegetation origin and subsequent bio and
geo chemical transformations, because of which the con-
tent and constitution of organic and inorganic matter in
N. SOUNDARRAJAN ET AL. 59
individual coal particles vary substantially [9]. Mineral
matter associated with coal can exist as included, i.e.
within the coal particle or extraneous. This heterogeneity
difference in maceral types and mineral matter with
varying physical and chemical nature leads to large va-
riations in burning times of char particles during com-
bustion and gasification [10-13]. Previous studies have
shown that the coal particles having different maceral
concentrates generate char particles of different struc-
tures [11-14]. As a result, pyrolysis-chars generated from
different maceral concentrates show different burning
times in combustion conditions: vitrinite rich coal parti-
cles exhibit short burning times while highly reflecting
inertinite rich coal particles exhibit long burning times
[11,13].
Mineral matter in coal influences all aspects of coal
utilization [15,16]. With an increase in mineral matter
content and increase in grain sizes, a higher level of het-
erogeneity can be expected in coal particles [17]. Yu (in
2007) and Saikia (in 2011) have studied mineral matter
in Chinese and Indian coals respectively and found that
included minerals are in general finer than excluded
mineral matter [18,19]. Slater and coworkers conducted a
focused study on pyrite and illite associations in two US
bituminous coals [20]. They found that pyrite tends to
occur commonly as excluded and non-associated while
illite is more often found as an included form within the
coal organic matrix or/and associated with other minerals.
Mineral matter influences the burning times, abrasion of
coal handling units, slagging in fireside surfaces of fur-
nace, fouling in the heat recovery section and also affects
in many other ways like corrosion, particulate emissions
etc., [15,21-23].
Even in vitrinite rich coals with high caking tendency,
coal particles with substantial mineral matter loading
show a different burning profile than particles without
mineral loading [24,25]. The mineral matter content, pro-
perties like particle sizes, fixed carbon, volatiles, and
HHV, also influence the unburnt carbon in char [26,27].
Hence, the study of variations in physical and chemi-
cal characteristics of coal particles over a range of den-
sity and size fractions of coal particles would be useful in
developing a model to predict char kinetics during com-
bustion and gasification. From that point of view, the
variations in HHV, volatiles, petrology, ash yield, and
mineral matter composition, ash yield composition over a
wide range of particles sizes and density cuts have been
assessed.
2. Experimental Methods: Preparation and
Characterization of Samples
A barrel (~900 kg) of bituminous coal (Pittsburgh No. 8)
was ground in an industrial rod mill and a sample of par-
ticle size distribution similar to that used in a commercial
pressurized entrained flow slagging gasifier was obtained.
A representative sample of the ground coal was separated
by float-sink experiments into four density fractions by
utilizing separation liquids of various precise densities
(reported at 20˚C). Mixtures of toluene (0.87 g/cc at),
perchloroethylene (1.62 g/cc) and 1, 1, 2, 2 tetrabro-
moethane (2.96 g/cc) were used to formulate the separa-
tion media at 1.3 g/cc, 1.6 g/cc and 2.6 g/cc. The whole
coal sample is identified as SG0PS0 and the four density
fractions in are identified as SG1 (<1.3 g/cc), SG2 (1.3 to
1.6 g/cc), SG3 (1.6 to 2.6 g/cc) and SG4 (>2.6 g/cc).
Each density fraction was sieved further into seven size
classes. A representative sample of the whole coal sam-
ple (SG0PS0) was also separated into the same seven
size fractions. The size segregations in decreasing order
of particle size are identified as PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5,
PS6 and PS7. The methodology followed in segregating
the sample and the size ranges are illustrated in Figure 1.
The yields of ash and volatiles for the size and density
fractions were determined using a LECO proximate ana-
lyzer. Ultimate analyses on the size and density fractions
were performed using a LECO CHN and Sulfur analyz-
ers and an Anton-Parr bomb calorimeter. The mineral
matter content was estimated using the Parr correction
formula [15]. The oxides of such high temperature ashes
were evaluated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic
Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) techniques on a Per-
kin Elmer apparatus. Petrographic evaluation of the den-
sity fractions was conducted by preparing samples ac-
cording to ASTM D2797. Macerals in whole coal were
identified in accordance with ASTM D2799 using a
Zeiss Universal Research microscope at 625× magnifica-
tion with polarized white-light illumination.
Mineral matter in the coal was identified and estimated
by more than one method. Samples were prepared and
shipped to an external laboratory at the University of
North Dakota for Computer Controlled Scanning Elec-
tron Microscopy (CCSEM) [28]. CCSEM yielded quail-
tative mineral data as well as quantitative data for the
whole coal (BSG0PS0) and two of the heavier fractions
(BSG3PS0, BSG4PS0). Mineral matter was also identi-
fied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) of finely
powdered samples taken from each particle class. How-
ever the XRD method was restricted to identification of
minerals that were present in the crystalline form. Iron
minerals in the coal samples (BSG0PS0, BSG3PS0 and
BSG4PS0 samples) were determined by Mossbauer spec-
troscopy conducted on the samples at University of Ken-
tucky [29].
3. Results and Discussions: Heterogeneity of
Density and Size Fractions
Although the variations in characteristics are expected
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N. SOUNDARRAJAN ET AL.
60
over a range of size and density fractions in compari-
son with whole coal, quantification of such variation is
more desirable. This section focuses on various physical
and chemical variations of the segregated fractions.
3.1. Yields on Gravity Partitioning
The gravity distribution of the coal, as tabulated in the
first row of Table 1, shows that most of the coal (95.4 wt.
%) floats in a liquid of 1.6 specific gravity. The contribu-
tion of lighter gravity fractions SG1 and SG2 are nearly
even with respect to yield, at 47.8% and 47.6% by weight,
respectively. Only a small quantity (3.49% in the 1.6 -
2.6 specific gravity and 1.10% in the 2.6 sink) is present
in the heavier fractions. The distribution is expected as
the average specific gravity of bituminous coal to be
~1.4.
Figure 1. Density and size separated sample preparation
flow diagram. SG0 is the whole coal; PS0 indicates that the
sample has not been separated by size after density separa-
tion; “specific gravity” is used interchangeably with density
in the text.
Table 1. Proximate, ultimate and HHV analysis of whole
coal and various density fractions.
SG0 SG1 SG2 SG3SG4
Yield, wt % 100 47.8 47.6 3.51.1
Moisture, wt % 2.08 2.1 2.2 2.00.6
Ash, wt % 8.9 2.6 10.71 51.665.4
Volatile Matter, wt % 36.2 39.5 34.4 21.1 19.2
Fixed Carbon, wt % 52.9 55.8 52.8 25.4 14.9
Heating value, MJ /kg 33.8 36.3 32.9 12.97.3
Ultimate analysis (dry basis)
C 77.9 84.7 76.2 30.96.4
H 5.6 6.0 5.4 2.1 0.3
N 1.4 1.5 1.4 0.50.2
S 1.9 1.0 1.6 8.536.0
O (by diff) 4.4 4.1 4.6 6.5 0.0
3.2. Particle Size Distribution (PSD) Analysis
The particle size distribution (PSD) of each density frac-
tion, as determined by sieve analysis, was compared with
utility grinds and a commercially used PSD curve shared
by a gasification vendor. The particle size distribution of
each density fraction was found to be following Rosin-
Rammler distribution [30]. Figure 2 presents a compare-
son of the log-log particle size distributions of the whole
coal (SG0PS0) with that of the four gravity fractions, a
commercial gasifier grind (curve A) and a utility (pf
combustion) grind. The PSD of SG2 and SG4 cluster but
they are away from that of SG1 and SG3. A notable point
is the wide disparity between the utility grind (which
follows a Rosin-Rammler type distribution) and the gasi-
fier grinds, which may be because curve A was much
coarser. The mean particle size (MPS), which is simply
the weight averaged particle size of a fraction, of whole
coal and density fractions are: Bulk coal at 260 µm, SG1
at 287 µm, SG2 at 222 µm, SG3 at 414 µm and SG4 at
264 µm respectively. The variation in the mean particle
size of the gravity fractions is an interesting phenomenon
that needs to be investigated.
3.3. Petrographic Analysis of Various Density
Fractions
Petrological composition is one of the important para-
meters that influence coal combustion and conversion [9].
The maceral composition of the whole coal and those of
the four density fractions are presented in Figure 3. The
maceral values for all the gravity fractions have been
obtained by direct counting through an optical micros-
cope. The values for fraction SG4 were obtained with
considerable difficulty using a 360 point count (much
lower than the normal 1000 point count) procedure. So
the accuracy of extrapolating the maceral values for SG4
could be less than the other fractions. Considering the
low yield of 1.12 wt % of that fraction the impact is far
less significant [31]. The major maceral group found in
the Eastern US bituminous coals is vitrinite and current
results show good agreement [32]. The overall contribu-
tion of vitrinites from SG1 fraction clearly outweighs
that from the other density fractions. The concentration
of vitrinites is relatively low in SG3 fraction compared to
other density fractions.
The other important maceral group is inertinites which
is known to contribute significantly to unburnt carbon
[33]. Fusinite, macrinite, micrinite, inertodendrite and
semifusinites were grouped together as inertinites in this
work. These higher density macerals, inertinites, are ex-
pected to be more concentrated in SG2 and SG3 fractions.
Although the petrographic analyses indicate significant
concentration of inertinites in SG3 fraction, the contribu-
tion of SG3 towards total inertinite is low due to lower
SG3 yield. Like other macerals, the absolute contribution
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N. SOUNDARRAJAN ET AL. 61
Figure 2. Comparison of the PSD of all fractions with a
commercial gasification grind and a utility grind (µm).
Figure 3. Distribution of macerals (mineral matter free
basis) in various density fractions.
to inertinites from SG1 and SG2 fractions are significant
due to higher yield of these fractions. However, a clear
distinction is seen in total inertinites in SG2 (26.1%) and
SG1 (9.8%) fraction.
The distinct comparisons between SG2 vs. SG1 are as
follows: Fusinite 5.5% vs. 1.7%, Semifusinite 11.4% vs.
5%, Macrinite 0.4% vs. 0.3%, Micrinite 3.1% vs. 1.8%,
and Inertodendrite 5.7% vs. 1.0%. The segregation of
inertinites in SG2 fraction is result of density of iner-
tinites falling in the range of 1.3 - 1.6 g/cc.
The segregation of macerals in gravity fractions could
be primarily due to the degree of their association with
minerals and the fracture characteristics of both minerals
and macerals. Following are the important observations
on segregation and heterogeneity found in the different
gravity fractions:
Liptinite macerals, originating from res-ins/exines,
are found relatively more in the SG3 fraction at ~5%,
i.e., roughly 50% more than in SG1 and SG2. The
higher concentration of liptinites in SG3 can be at-
tributed to their bondage with minerals and cones-
quent lower grindability.
In literature, segregation of macerals based on in-
creasing density is reported to follow the order viz.
inertinites > vitrinites > liptinites. Multimaceral
lithotypes are also reported to be more in higher den-
sity fractions [24].
The other important observation is the reduced con-
centration of liptinites in the SG4 fraction despite having
similar particle size distribution and mean particle size as
SG2. This may be due to the limited organic content in
the SG4 fraction. This study did not involve maceral
analysis of the range of size fractions due to poor accu-
racy of counting with decrease in particle size and due to
difficulty in demineralization of some size fractions.
3.4. Proximate, Ultimate and HHV Analysis
3.4.1. Variations in Densi ty Fracti o ns
Data from the proximate analysis of the four density
samples is presented in Table 1 and shows the large
variations in contribution to commercial value by each
density fraction. As expected, the heavier fractions con-
tain substantial mineral matter (or high ash yield), with
consequent decrease in organic content and decline in
heating value. The contribution of SG3 and SG4 frac-
tions towards total heating value is very minimal. Hea-
vier fractions are likely to be composed mostly of exclu-
ded minerals. To further confirm this reasoning, sulfur
was analyzed (total sulfur) in all samples. The hypothesis
was that the sulfur in SG3 and SG4 fractions should be
much more than in other density fractions, if they have
significant excluded Pyrites. The reasons behind the hy-
pothesis are:
Organic contribution in both the gravity fractions are
low and therefore organic sulfur and included Pyrites
are expected to be less.
Earlier studies have shown that organic sulfur con-
centration is usually more in vitrinites, and vitrinite
macerals are more abundant in low density fractions
[34].
As expected, the concentration of Sulfur was found to
increase with density. It is important to note that the sul-
fur reported here is total sulfur and not inorganic sulfur.
The other constituents such as carbon, hydrogen and ni-
trogen naturally drop with density due to decreasing or-
ganic content. The HHV data of each density fractions
gain importance in terms of critical values for deciding
economic benefication. The contribution of SG3 and
SG4 fractions to total HHV of coal is only 1.6%. There-
fore, it can said with confidence that SG3 and SG4 frac-
tions could cause more harm through abrasion of coal
handling plants than any calorific benefit provided [15].
However, if they play a crucial role in slag layer devel-
opment, then these fractions could be justified in an en-
trained flow slagging gasifier.
3.4.2. Variations in Size Fractions
The other important aspect is to understand the variations
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62
within size fractions, as the particle size distribution fed
to the pulverized coal fired boiler is usually of a wide
range [35]. A similar analysis as carried out for gravity
fractions were carried out for size fractions too. The re-
sults are presented in Table 2. Unlike density fractions,
the yields in case of different size fractions are bimodal,
with PS3 and PS7 together contributing to 55% of the
total. No distinction could be drawn in terms of ash yield,
volatile matter, HHV, fixed carbon content, and elemen-
tal composition. The results indicate that beneficiation of
coal by the process of separating on the basis of size may
not yield good results like density separation.
ple [28]. This method is used to determine the amount and
nature of the mineral matter (excluded vs. included) in the
coal samples. However, one of the limitations of CCSEM
is that it can analyze particles between sizes 1 µm to 300
µm. Due to this limitation, all the particle classes (i.e.
large particles) could not be analyzed in the original state.
However, in order to analyze the entire sample from each
gravity fraction, the particles larger than 300 µm were
ground to pass through a mesh screen with 300 µm
openings. Because of this size limitation the behavior of
large particles during transformation [20,36] can’t be ac-
curately assessed by CCSEM. However, particle larger than
300 µm do not represent a large portion of the coal, so this
is not expected to have any significant effect on predictions.
In summary, the proximate, ultimate, and HHV analy-
sis show sharp distinctions with respect to different den-
sity fractions, while no significant variation is seen over
the various size fractions. 3.5.1. Included and Excluded Minerals
The composition of each mineral group in excluded and
included form is shown in Figure 4. The CCSEM analy-
3.5. Heterogeneity of Mineral Matter
Minerals in the whole coal are distributed as follows:
iron minerals (pyrites, pyrrhotites and trace oxides): 37%,
aluminosilicates: 33%, aluminosilicates with impurities:
16%, pure quartz: ~7%, impure quartz: 3% with carbon-
ates and sulfates accounting for the rest. During combus-
tion or gasification, the included minerals undergo trans-
formations differently compared to excluded minerals.
For instance, in a combustion conditions, the included
pyrites transform slowly to iron oxides, while the ex-
cluded pyrites transform relatively fast [36-39].
Evaluating the association of mineral matter viz. inclu-
ded vs. excluded, helps to ascertain the abrasion and slag-
ging propensity on coal milling and handling systems.
Therefore, computer controlled scanning electron micro-
scope-automated image analysis (CCSEM) was used to
analyze gravity fractions SG3, SG4 and whole coal sam-
Figure 4. Relative proportion of the major minerals present
in included form in the coal. Over half the pyrite and 3/4th
of the aluminosilicates are present as included minerals.
Carbonates and sulfates are in trace amounts.
Table 2. Proximate, ultimate and HHV analysis of bulk and various size fractions.
PSD, µm Bulk d > 600 600 - 425425 - 212212 - 150150 - 106 106 - 75 75 > d
PS0 PS1 PS2 PS3 PS4 PS5 PS6 PS7
Yield, wt% 5.1 10.2 26.2 11.2 9.5 8.9 28.9
Moisture, wt% 2.1 2.4 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8
Volatile matter, wt% 36.2 35.1 36.3 36.8 37.5 36.5 36.3 36.5
Ash, wt% 9.1 8.11 9.0 9.3 9.3 9.3 9.9 10.6
Fixed carbon, wt% 52.7 54.4 52.7 52.1 51.4 52.2 51.9 51.1
HHV, MJ/kg 33.8 33.5 33.7 33.8 33.8 34.0 33.9 33.8
Ultimate analysis (dry basis)
Carbon, wt% 76.3 76.8 77.3 77.7 77.9 78.3 76.3 76.3
Hydrogen, wt% 5.6 5.5 5.6 5.6 5.5 5.6 5.6 5.6
Nitrogen, wt% 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4
Sulfur, wt% 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.0
Oxygen*, wt% 4.1 4.3 4.3 3.9 3.8 3.7 4.7 4.1
*
Oxygen calculated by difference.
N. SOUNDARRAJAN ET AL. 63
ses of whole coal (SG0 indicates that over 72% of min-
eral matter occurs as included minerals. Nearly 58% of
the pyrite present is found as included mineral, and about
73% aluminosilicates and 15% quartz are present in the
included form. Over 80% of the pyrite in SG3 fraction
and nearly 90% of the pyrite in the SG4 fraction is pre-
sent in the excluded form. Juxtaposing this data with
other observations (of ash yield and sulfur analysis)
seems to indicate that bulk of the included pyrite may be
contained in the SG2 fraction. Bulk of the i ncluded alu-
minosilicates are however present in the SG3 fraction.
Minerals with impurities show lower melting points and
are grouped separately.
3.5.2. S eg r egation of Minerals in Dens ity Fractions
The SG3 and SG4 fractions together contribute 28.5%
towards total ash yield of coal, while SG2 fraction alone
contributes ~57% towards total ash yield. Therefore, it
can be suggested that the SG2 fraction has significant
included mineral matter and naturally the mineral matter
in SG1 fraction is also dominated by included minerals.
Figure 4 also shows that aluminosilicates and pyrites
dominate the included minerals.
The proportional variations of each mineral constituent
viz. aluminosilicates, pyrites and quartz, with respect to
different size cuts for whole coal and density fractions
SG4, SG3 and SG1 + SG2 (a composite representation)
are shown in Figure 5. The minerals present in SG1 +
SG2 fractions were calculated based on CCSEM data of
whole coal, SG3 and SG4 fractions. The contribution of
mineral matter from SG1 + SG2 fraction is predominant.
The contribution from SG3 and SG4 fractions towards
total mineral matter is relatively lesser.
3.5.3. Comparative Study o f Mineral s by XRD and
Mossbauer Spectroscopy Techniques
To further confirm the presence of above said minerals
and determine iron compounds in SG3 and SG4 fractions,
Table 3 Mossbauer spectroscopy was carried out (at
University of Kentucky) on those two fractions. X-ray
diffraction analysis was also carried out on all the frac-
tions to identify the minerals present in the coal samples.
XRD of raw coals was a slightly challenging process
because of background noise due to the amorphous car-
bon present in coal. By overlaying XRD pattern obtained
for pure mineral samples on a coal-mineral mixture pat-
tern, the background and extraneous peaks from amor-
phous materials can be identified and removed by trained
operators. The remaining curve with the mineral peaks is
used to identify the crystalline matter [40-42]. Table 4
Figure 5. Size variation of key minerals across density fractions (X-axis in µm). The Y-axis is an arbitrary scale.
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N. SOUNDARRAJAN ET AL.
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Table 2. Distribution of key minerals by particle/mineral size and comparisons between SG3 and SG4 minerals.
Density Fractions Trend of Mineral Particle Sizes
SG1 + SG2 The contents of aluminosilicates and quartz in different size fractions almost follows the
trend of whole coal and the mode occurs in the 4.6 to 10 µm size rang
The pyrite particles are more than in SG3 and SG4 up to 46 µm but reduces in bigger size particles
SG3
Aluminosilicates and Quartz are in very small quantity but higher than in the SG4 fraction in all sizes upto 46 µm but in-
creases rapidly above that up to 460 µm
Pyrites are present in small quantity but higher than in SG4 fraction in all sizes up to 46 µm but increases rapidly above that
up to 460 microns
SG4 Aluminosilicates and quartz are very negligible in all sizes.
Pyrite also is negligible up to 22 µm size and increases significantly above 46 µm
Table 3. Minerals identified in heavy density fractions using multiples techniques.
Samples/ Techniques XRD CCSEM Mossbauer
SG4 (density > 2.6 g/cc) Pyrite, Marcasite, Magnetite,
Calcite, Kaolinite (trace),
Potassium Silicate.
Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, oxidized Pyrite, iron-rich
compounds, Si and Al rich matter.
Szomolnokite, Pyrite,
Jarosite, magnetite.
SG3 (density = 1.6 - 2.6 g/cc) Pyrite, Marcasite, Quartz, Calcite,
Kaolinite, Illite,
Sodium-aluminosilicate, Jarosite.
Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Quartz, Calcite, Ankerite,
Kaolinite, Gypsum, mixed Aluminosilicates,
Illite-montmorillonite, and Si/Ca-rich matter.
Jarosite, Fe2+ in clay and
Pyrite.
lists the minerals identified by each technique. Salient
observations from the comparative study are as below:
The analysis showed that over 80% of the iron is pre-
sent as iron sulfides.
Some of the iron in the SG3 phase is present inside
the clays in the Fe2+ oxidation state.
Mossbauer analysis provided confirmation of the
presence of Jarosite and Magnetite in the SG4 frac-
tions, which was also identified by XRD.
CCSEM methods were not accurate in quantifying
any magnetite or jarosite in the samples but detected
the presence of ankerite and gypsum in the coal.
The key observation was that no single technique can
completely and accurately identify all the minerals
phases. However, depending on the proportion of the
minerals, judicious choices can be made in the inter-
est of time and cost.
XRD stands out in terms of quick sample preparation,
small quantity requirement and fairly rapid analysis,
once the user becomes well versed with a suite of coal
minerals.
3.5.4. Trends of Mineral Contents in Different Size
Partition s of Whole Coal
The particle size information of various mineral con-
stituents is important to understand abrasion, erosion,
beneficiation, and vaporization of minerals in coal utility
systems. Raask reported that certain mineral particles
with high Mho’s index contribute to abrasion only when
the particle size is greater than 20 µm and should exist as
excluded minerals [15]. Liu et al., have reported that if
mineral particles are lesser than 20 µm, the mineral re-
moval ratio markedly decrease, the mineral removal
showing no improvement even after pulverizing to 10
µm or less due to difficulties in separating mineral matter
and organic matter [43,44]. Also, the mineral particles,
especially included minerals, have propensity for va-
porization and could form deposits in the lower tempera-
ture heat transfer zones [28]. However, the slagging pro-
pensity depends on the kind of minerals present in coal.
Figure 6 shows the variation in distribution over a
range of particle sizes for major mineral (Table 3) con-
stituents. The key minerals are pyrite, aluminosilicates
and impure aluminosilicates. The figure shows that the
significant portion of all mineral matter constituents have
particle size less than 46 µm. This further confirms the
substantial contribution of included mineral matter (usu-
ally present as finely divided minerals in the organic ma-
trix).
4. Summary and Conclusions
Size and density separated fractions of Pittsburgh No.8
coal were analyzed for their variations in organic and
inorganic content. Proximate, ultimate, HHV, CCSEM,
XRD, Mossbauer spectroscopy and petrographic analysis
were performed to deduce the variations of organic and
inorganic content. Key findings are reported below:
Based on the proximate, ultimate and HHV analysis,
fractions having density of 1.6 g/cc and above (SG3
and SG4) constitute only 4.59% of whole coal physi-
cally and having only 1.56% heat content, reduce the
quality of the coal by contributing primarily mineral
matter (28.5% of whole ash) which are potential
source of many problems.
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N. SOUNDARRAJAN ET AL. 65
Figure 6. Segregation of minerals in different size fractions (X-axis in µm). The numbering legend is to help distinguish the
symbols and has no other significance.
The present study reveals that the Particle Size Dis-
tribution (PSD) of the gravity fractions vary signifi-
cantly. The mean particle size (MPS), which is simply
the weight averaged particle size, of whole coal and
density fractions are: Bulk coal at 260 µm, SG1 (<
1.3 sp.gr) at 287 µm, SG2 ((1.3 - 1.6 sp.gr) at 222 µm,
SG3 (1.6 - 2.6 sp.gr) at 414 µm and SG4 (>2.6 sp.gr)
at 264 µm respectively.
The variation of organic and inorganic constituents
across the density gradient is more obvious compared
to variations across size gradient.
CCSEM analyses of whole coal indicate that over
72% of mineral matter occurs as included minerals
Pyrites and aluminosilicates with impurities constitute
major contents of the included minerals. The contri-
bution of excluded minerals is predominantly from
the high density fractions, while the included minerals
are seen in lower density fractions.
The distribution of minerals across size fractions is
heterogeneous. Pyrites are present in relatively larger
proportions in the coarser fractions while alumi-
nosilicates are distributed in a more bimodal manner.
Since many minerals are present in included form hot
stage microscopic XRD studies of the different size frac-
tions will be of great value to observe in-situ transforma-
tions. For the evaluation of minerals CCSEM, XRD and
Mossbauer techniques were deployed. The key observa-
tion was that no single technique can completely and
accurately identify all the minerals phases. XRD stands
out in terms of quick sample preparation, small quantity
requirement and fairly rapid analysis, once the user be-
comes well versed with a suite of coal minerals. CCSEM
methods were not accurate in quantifying any Magnetite
or Jarosite in the samples but detected the presence of
Ankerite and Gypsum in the coal. CCSEM is essential to
assess the size distribution of minerals.
This study of partitioning a bituminous coal into four
density fractions and further into seven particle size frac-
tions (for each gravity fraction) has revealed that hetero-
geneity in the coal is very much multidimensional and
needs to be a strong consideration in modeling coal par-
ticles in applications involving pulverized feedstocks.
Apart from the variations in fixed carbon, volatiles and
ash content across the fractions, there is a strong varia-
tion in the distribution of each mineral species, by con-
tent, chemical purity, the degree of co-existence with
other minerals, particle size distribution of each mineral
as well as their included/excluded nature. Further popu-
lation model studies of typical US coals can lead to the
establishment of the pattern(s) of heterogeneity of the
organic matter and inorganic matter in US coals. These
population models can aid in the improvement of com-
puter models for gasification and better prediction of
gasifier performance and reliability.
5. Acknowledgements
This technical work was performed in support of Na-
tional Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL) research
in Slagging Gasifier Model Development under the RES
contract 0004000. Assistance of personnel and use of
facilities at the EMS Energy Institute and Materials Re-
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N. SOUNDARRAJAN ET AL.
66
search Laboratory (Penn State) is appreciated. Assistance
in sample preparation by CONSOL Energy Inc. (Library
PA) and METSO Minerals (York PA) is sincerely ac-
knowledged.
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