Microstructural Studies and Distribution of Mineral Matter in the Macroscopic Ingredients of Coal, Jharia Coalfield, India·: An Appraisal of SEM Study

Abstract

Scanning Electron Micrography of the Jharia Coals has been attempted with a view to decipher the enigmatic microstructural features and diversities in distribution of mineral matter in the banded constituents and coal. A wide variation has been observed in the distribution of mineral matter in coal lithotypes. The mineral matter is most abundant in durain; abundant in c1arain and dull clarain, less abundant in bright clarain and vitrain; and rare in fusain. The order of abundance of the mineral matter may be put as; Durain > Dull Clarain > Clarain > Bright Clarain > Vitrain > Fusain.

The microstructural relation of mineral. matter with coaly substances reveals that in durain and elarain, mineral matter is associated as massive impregnation, superficial infilling of micropores and filling of cavities. In vitrain, this occurs mainly iS superficial inlilling of pores, superficial mountings, and in and around cavities. In c1arain mineral matter is mainly confined to dull bands, while bright bands contain sporadic mineral matter. Fusain is almost devoid of inorganic contamination. At places, however, mineral matter is observed filling the cavities of cell fibres and cell lumina.