MINERAL MATTER

Submitted By: SHAHID IMRAN ANJUM

Roll no. 06
Submitted To: Sir Naseer Sheikh
M.Sc (coal technology) 1st semester

UNIVERSTY OF THE PUNJAB

CONTENTS
1-Introduction
2-Inherent mineral
3-External mineral
4-How mineral matter entered in coal beds and coal matrix
5-Forms of mineral matter
6-Mineral matter in Pakistani coal
7-Effect of pyrite in coal
8-Drawback if mineral matter is not removed from coal

INTRODUCTION
The inorganic material present in coal includes complex metallic cations and anions

is called mineral matter which is also called the ash forming matter.

The term mineral matter is an inclusive term which refers to the mineralogical phases as well as to all
other inorganic elements in the coal; that is the element that are bonded in various ways as the organic
(C,H,O,N,S).

Early studies approached the subject somewhat indirectly by means of chemical analysis of high
temperature ash and back calculation to obtain estimates of the mineral matter. Others supplemented
chemical studies by hand picking the coarser minerals or making density separations for chemical tests
and optical microscopic study. With the advent of radio frequency Ashing at low temperature (<150°Cf it
became possible to directly investigate all the mineral constituents.

In coal the mineral matter is classified in two broad categories as followed:

1-Inherent mineral

2-External mineral
INHERENT MINERAL MATTER:
During the transformation of plant material into the coal the mineral matter in the coal
originally was present in the plant is called inherent mineral matter. In the form of solution the inorganic
elements are entered in plants as food for their proper growth.

The inherent mineral matter retained its existence during coalification process and the finely
disseminated mineral matter became the structural part of coal.

The inherent mineral matter is that mineral matter which had its origin in the organic constituents of the
plant giving rise to the coal bed. The inherent mineral matter is also sometimes defined as the inorganic
material combined with the organic coal substance but such material need not be derived from the coal
forming plants.

The inherent mineral matter is usually in a smaller quantity than then the extraneous mineral matter
and can be expected to differ quite markedly in composition from the inorganic residue of the major
coal forming plant types. The percolating waters may be presumed to have an increased dissolving
action on the inorganic constituents because of their content of humic acids, carbon dioxides and other
products of decay. Furthermore the differences in solubility and reactions of inorganic constituents
present in the plant dictate that these elements not contribute to the coal mineral matter in proportion
to their presence in the plant material.

In some cases, the inherent mineral matter is generally varies from 0.5 to 2% in coal.

It is difficult to remove this mineral matter by physical processing techniques. It can only be
removed by chemical processing.

EXTERNAL MINERAL MATTER:

The extraneous mineral matter was brought into the coal forming deposit by mechanical means from
the outside. For example as dust by air or as suspended or dissolved material carried by water.

If we talk about the different ways of coal accumulation, there are two basic theories regarding coal
formation i.e. in-situ theory and drift theory. When coal is accumulated by drift theory chances for
addition of addition of external mineral matter increases because in this process while accumulation of
plants, trees and other material (regarding coal formation) most of the sedimentary rock particles, clay
and shale also set up with the material above mentioned. This irrelevant accumulation is basically the
external mineral matter. This mineral matter is usually in greater quantity as compared to the inherent
mineral matter that is why it is much easier to remove out by simple physical methods.

The extraneous mineral matter is that which entered the coal beds from outside and
depositd with coal. There were four means of deposition of mineral matter as:
1) The rock sediments from outside, during the flooding period, were transported by wind and
water into swamps where coalification process was in progress.

2) Some mineral matter mixed up with coal from swamps during the coalification process in situ
and some mineral matter also mixed up with coal when it drifted from its original location and entered
the swamps or shallow marshy land.

3) Very fine or colloidal form of mineral matter, in the shape of silt absorbed by the porous coal
and deposited deep in the coal matrix.

4) During coalification process, the mineral matter deposited into coal by perculating water
wherefrom metal cations entered the coal structure and caused various ion exchange processes as:

R-OH+Naᶧ→RO-Na+Hᶧ

FORMS OF MINERAL MATTER:

Coal is a type of sedimentary rock so 100 or so above types of mineral matters occur in coals; however,
only about 15 are abundant enough to have high importance. It must be noted that minor impurities
commonly substitute for the major cations as well as some anions which account for a considerable
fraction of the minor and trace elements reported in coals. Minerals in coal occur as discrete grains or
flakes in one of five physical forms:

• Disseminated as tiny inclusions as macerals.

• Layers or partings (also lenses) wherein fine-grained minerals predominate.

• Nodules, including lenticular or spherical concretions.

• Fissures (cleat and fracture fillings and also small void fillings)

• Rock fragments, megascopic masses of rock replacements of coal as a result of faulting,

slumping, or related structures.

Mineral matter originates from the inorganic constituents of the vegetation which acted as the
precursor to coal and from the mineral matter that was transported to the coal beds from a remote site.

The mineral matter in coal can be found in following form:

• Carbonate minerals.

• Shale.

• Pyrite Minerals.

• Sandstone
• Clay Minerals

• Clastic Minerals

• Trace elements.

Clastic Minerals:
Clastic minerals material is expected to potentially yield information about source rock origins.
Clays and quartz are common clastic minerals in coal, and in some cases can account for nearly all of the
mineral matter present. Eolian transport appears to be a significant means of introducing quartz grains
to the coal- forming mire. Detrital aluminosilicates maybe introduced by aqueous or eolian transport
modes. Tonsteins are known in many coal beds and represent another clastic mineral source, probably
of volcanic origin.

Syngenetic Quartz:
Syngenetic quartz is alsopresent in coal seams. Quartz dissolution has been reported
from mire type environments under reducing environment. Syngenetic quartz and clay may appear as
cell and pore in fillings, or as coatings or overgrowths on clastic mineral grains.

Pyrite Minerals:
Most of the iron present in coal mineral matter is in the form of syngenetic and
epigenetic iron disulfides. Finely, dispersed pyrite in cpoal generally has syngenetic or earlier epigenetic
origins. Organically combined sulfur is also common in coal. Iron is also present in coal beds in yhe form
of Siderite, which is usually present in coal as small nodules often associated with vitrinite and clay
layers. Siderite is thought to form syngenitically or during early diagnosis. Larger nodules of siderite are
found in many coal units.

Carbonate minerals:
The major cations found in the carbonates minerals in coal are calcium, magnesium and iron. The rather
pure end member calcite (CaCO3) is dominant in some coals, whereas siderite (FeCO3) is dominant in
others. Calcite and ankerite are abundant in some coal.

Silicate Minerals:
Quartz is dominant forms in which silica is found in coals, and it is a ubiquitous. There is some distinction
between clastic grains of quartz introduced by wind or water and authigenic quartz deposited from
solutions. Quartz is also major component of siltstone partings in coal that are of detrital origin.

Trace Elements:
Large number of trace elements also found in the mineral matter of coal which damages the health of
the human and the plants.

HOW MINERAL MATTER ENTERED IN COAL BEDS &

COAL MATREX:
The mineral composition of coal is the result of physical, chemical and biological processes acting on the
system from the time of peat accumulation, through burial and subsequent increase in rank, to the
present. With respect to origin, inorganic constituents may be classified as: inherent (being derived from
inorganic components within the peat-forming plants) or adventitious (being derived from outside the
peat swamp and forming either during or after peat accumulation) and detrital (those transported into
the peat swamp) or authigenic (those formed within the environment). Murkowski further
differentiates between syngeneic minerals, formed during the accumulation of peat, and epigenetic
minerals, which formed later.

Studies of modern peat-forming environments have emphasized the importance of detrital influx,
syngeneic formation of pyrite and biogenic silica, and in-situ mixing with underlying sediments to
account for mineral constituents in coal. The impurities with which coal is contaminated as it comes
from the mine are not of haphazard origin, each can be traced to a specific occurrence in the coal bed or
its enclosing roof and floor. Shale, sandstone, bone and bony coals. Frequently occur as strata lying
between the horizontal benches of coal on the bed or between the coal or the main roof or floor of the
bed. Such a stratum may only be a thin coating along the bedding plane or it may be thick enough to
divide the deposit into two benches . Clay and shale also occurs also occurs through less frequently as
the filling of less vertical fissures in the bed. When material from the roof or floor has been forced into
fissures by pressure.

Most wind deposited minerals are recognized as such by these are therefore, dust particles layered
deposits of these dusts are termed tonsteins.

The minerals in the coal classified into the following groups according to genesis:

a) Plant-origin minerals

b) Terrigenous detrital minerals

c) Chemical and biochemical minerals

d) Minerals formed during diagenetic alteration

According to their formation stages, the mineral classified into two kinds:

1) Syngeneic

2) Epigenetic
Syngenetic minerals are those that are formed within the peat during the early stages of its coalification,
before the peat was deeply buried by other sediments probably by not more than about 50 feet, is
thought to have formed in sulfate bearing peat by bacterial reduction.

Epigenetic minerals are mainly those found in fissures and void filling. Much of the calcite in coals as
well as part of the pyrite and kaolinite in coals are recognized as epigenetic.

MINERAL MATTER IN PAKISTANI COAL:

Pakistani coals are mostly lignite and some deposits are closely to sub bituminous in
nature. They have characterized to have high mineral content, high volatile matter and low calorific
value. Pakistani coals have high Sulphur content (4-10%) due to the presence of pyrite (FeS2 ) minerals.
In Pakistan there are great resources are found but the coal is low quality due to the low rank and some
higher quantity of the mineral matter. The coal of is used in the electric power generation and the kottli
coal is used in the metallurgical purposes. So the concentration mineral matter in Pakistani coal is When
we are talking about the Pakistani coal we come to know that the Pakistani coal is low rank coal.
Pakistani coal is of lignite quality which may be high grade or low grade lignite. Statistical data for
Pakistani coal is given:

Thar Coal
Thar coal deposit is the 7th largest deposit of the world. Thar coal is low rank lignite of A grade having
the volatile Matter vary between 25 to 35%.

Ash content ranges between 5.14 and 6.56 %, Volatile matter 26.50 and 33.04 %, Moisture 43.24 and
49.01 %, Sulphur 0.92 %, 1.34 % and 1.3%

Khushab Coal
Khushab coal has high mineral matter and low fix carbon. Khushab coal is low ranked coal which is
between Lignite. The amount of Volatile Matter in Khushab coal is 33.75%. It is considered as immature
coal due to high amount of mineral matter. It contains low sulfur content and low calorific value.

Makarwal Coal
Makarwal coal is high volatile matter and low fix carbon. The amount of Volatile Matter in coal is
37.6%It is also a low rank coal. The proximate analysis of Makarwal coal is given:

Shahrigh Coal
The Shahrigh Coal is also a low ranked lignite coal having high moisture content. The amount of Volatile
Matter in coal is 25.9%higher.

Lakhra coal (Sindh):

High volatile matter (26.3 to 42.5%), high sulphur (1.8 to 6.5%) and high ash (7.4 to 25%). Quality varies
widely even within a specific seam. Lakhra coal demonstrates high moisture, high sulphur and low fixed
carbon. The Lakhra coal is dull black and contains amber resin flakes.

Eastern salt range coal (Punjab):

Average ash content 33.42%, moisture 8.23%, volatile matter 29.26%, fixed carbon 29.09%, total sulphur
5.35%, pyritic sulpfur 3.42%, and other mineral matter.

Central salt range (Punjab):

Average ash content 22.61%, moisture 9.15%, volatile matter 33.35%, fixed carbon 34.48%, total sulpher
4.09%, pyritic sulpher 2.91% and other trace elements.

Western salt ranges coal (Punjab):

Ash content 21.8%, moisture volatile matter 9.11%, fixed carbon 34.62% total sulpher 6.42% pyritic
sulpher 5.41% and other mineral elements.

Makerwal (Punjab):
Coals are sub-bituminous with high ash and sulpher content.

Duki coal(Baluchistan):
coals with high sulpher content maximum 12% and high grade sub-bituminous coal.

Musakhael (Baluchistan):
Moisture 3.67 Volatile Matter 38.05 Ash 9.1 Fixed Carbon 54.32

Total Sulfur 5.98 Calorific Value LB 13221

EFFECTS OF PYRITE IN COAL:

The types of mineral matter found in a particular deposit depend on the geography of the deposit.
Those deposits found in the eastern part of the United States have mineral matter which is rich in clay,
quartz and pyrite. As a result utilities which burn eastern higher-sulfur coals must now use equipment
which can reduce the sulfur oxides which are released. The low sulfur content and some inheritability to
capture liberated sulfur oxides with calcium compounds have led to the use of the low sulfur western
coals for a growing part of the U.S. power generation market.

Pyrite in coal is an inorganic form of sulfur which is present in the form of FeS2. There are following
disadvantages of pyrite in coal:
  Pyrite is the basic source of SO2 during combustion which causes acid rain.
 Pyrite leads to the spontaneous combustion of coal.
 Due to the presence of pyrite in the coal there are the chances of explosions in the coal mine
because the oxidation of pyrite is an exothermic process.
 The coals having the pyrite have low mechanical strength.
 Presence of pyrite can cause clinkering on the side walls of furnace.
 Pyrite can cause acid mine drainage in the coal sea.
 When the high pyritic coal is burn the high concentration of sulphates are formed which cause
the acid rain due to which erosion occurred and this acid rain is dangerous for human beings. So
it is necessary to combust the low pyritic coal to protect the environment.
 The pyritic coal also effect the boilers by deposition of ash with the walls of the boilers.

DISADVANTAGES OF MINERAL MATTER IN COAL:

Coal contains significant and variable amounts of largely incombustible mineral matter. This mineral
matter primarily includes clays, shales, pyrite, quartz, calcite. Coal is usually burned in combustion
equipment, liberating hot gases and also heating the mineral matter to temperatures of 2000°F and
above. The different forms of the mineral matter can and do interact to bring about new chemical
materials with a variety of properties. This volume describes the nature of the mineral matter, its
occurrence, composition, sources, and the effects of heating this material in terms of the chemical and
physical properties of mineral matter and deposits. These effects are observed both experimentally and
in the operation of boilers and other coal utilization equipment. The deposition of mineral matter or ash
in boilers is a major concern in the design of coal-burning equipment and the major reason for the
forced outages of these units. Finally, there are approaches that can be taken to reduce the mineral
matter content of the coal from the original values. The extent of the reduction depends on the nature
of the coal, the need for reduction, and the premium price that can be obtained for the cleaned coal.

Due to the higher concentration of the mineral matter in the coal the following are the drawbacks:

 The coal is spontaneously ignite.

 Coal with high content of mineral matter will be sold cheaply and will not be economical.
 Due to high content of mineral matter the heating value of coal is low.
 Due to high mineral matter clinker formation is increased.
 The coal is unfavorable for coking.
 There is not easy to store due to spontaneous combustion
 The coal have high value of mineral matter is considered to be a low ranked coal.
 The coal having high mineral matter content produces more ash which is expensive to dispose
off.
 The mineral matter can cause spontaneous combustion of coal.
 The coal having high mineral matter content produces more ash which arises disposal problems.
 In high mineral matter content coal the spontaneous combustion takes place which is also a big
problem.
  The coal having high mineral matter content cannot be used as a coking coal because the coking
property of coal is directly related to the amount of mineral matter present in the coal.
 The coal having the high mineral matter content produce more pollution than the low mineral
matter coal, specially the coal having the pyritic sulfur produces sulfur dioxide which form
sulphuric acid when it escaped into the air and react with water which causes acid rain which is
very harmful for the human being as well as plants and the animals.
 The coal having high mineral matter content cannot be used in the industry because it arise
many problems in the boiler like clinker formation etc.
 During transportation of coal the large amount of mineral matter is transported with the coal
which increase the transportation cost of the coal.
 High mineral matter content decreases the calorific value of the coal.
 The coal having high mineral matter content will sold cheaper.
 The coal having high mineral matter content produce more ash and the ash of this coal contain
many trace elements which are injurious to health.
 The coal having high mineral matter content has heavy metals in the ash.
 The coal having high mineral matter content produces more slag and ash as compare to the
other coal having the low mineral mater.

REFERENCES:
• U.S. Geological survey bulletin issue 2078

• The chemistry and technology of petroleum by James G. Speight

• Thar coal energy board govt. of Sindh

• Coal geology by Larry Thomas

• Pakistan Coal Power Generation Potential

• Chemistry of Mineral Matter and Ash in Coal, an overview.