Fundamental characterization of New Zealand bituminous coal for prediction of carbonization behaviour : with special emphasis on fluorometric analysis.
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Abstract
This study identifies properties of New Zealand bituminous coals that can be used to predict carbonization behaviour. 165 bituminous coal specimens (most between 0.5 and 1.3% Romax) were examined. Analytical methods include proximate and ultimate analysis, sulphur forms, CO₂, ash composition, Gieseler fluidity, Rock Eval pyrolysis, maceral composition, safranin O staining, vitrinite reflectance, oxidative etching, fluorometric analysis, and microscopic examination of carbonized coal specimens.
Gieseler fluid temperature range, Rock Eval S1 & S2, volatile matter yield, and the optical texture of carbonized coals can be predicted where both vitrinite reflectance and mean vitrinite-inertinite fluorescence intensity are used as regression variables. The results suggest that the combined use of reflectance analysis and fluorometric analysis is useful for fundamental characterization of New Zealand bituminous coals to predict carbonization behaviour.
Fluorometric analysis also provides a way to identify perhydrous vitrinite and a quantitative method to correct for "suppressed" vitrinite reflectance is presented and explained.
Fluorometric analysis is sufficiently well developed for routine use and is convenient where an inert gas flow over the specimen is maintained during analysis. The results of this study suggest that reproducible results are possible where similar standards and wavelengths are used. Agreement on standard instrumental conditions that can be achieved with existing microscopes is suggested to realize the maximum value of the technique.