Discover how coal ingredients are measured and understood through a proven petrographic method that counts discrete particles.
This nonfiction work explains a careful, repeatable approach to analyzing coal’s banded ingredients like vitrain and clarain, using particle counts to gauge composition and how cleaning processes shape results. It presents practical steps, from sample selection and crushing to size classification and microscopic counting, all grounded in real laboratory work.
The study focuses on domestic stoker coals tested for combustion, showing how petrographic analysis can reveal ingredient changes after washing and preparation. It compares microscopic counts with known weight percentages and discusses the reliability and limits of the method. Readers will understand how the technique helps interpret fuel quality and potential combustion behavior.
- How to prepare coal samples for petrographic counting and why size matters
- How vitrain and other banded ingredients are identified and separated
- What the counts reveal about the effect of coal cleaning on composition
- How microscopic counts relate to actual weight percentages for better insight
Ideal for readers of geology, mining history, and coal technology who want a clear view of coal analysis methods and their practical implications.