Studies on the Mineralogical Characterization of Coals of Jharia (District-Dhanbad) Coal Field (Lodna & Bhowrah Coal), by X-Ray Differaction (XRD) and IR Spectroscopic Instrumental Techniques

Experimental results of the study of the mineralogical characterization of coals by X-Ray differaction and IR are reported. These results suggest that different minerals present as major and minor phases in the coals could be distinctly characterised by X-ray diffractometry. The IR spectroscopy technique has provided additional supplementry informations for the identification of several other mienral species present in the coals which could not be detected by X-ray differation. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that a-quartz is the major phase in ‘Jharia Coals’. However in Bhowrah Coal, apart from quartz, Kaolinite too is in major phase. The minor phases present in these coals, which escaped detection by X-ray diffracton, are illite and per sulphate. Thus, these studies give a clue as to how these coals could be gainfully and efficiently utilised in coal conversion process.