Micro and nano structure analysis of coal substance versus coal ranks

The article describes the early-stage research findings on the phenomenon of modulation of physicochemical mass exchange and gas exchange processes by low-frequency deformation waves. Particularly, the microstructure and nanostructure of coal substance are analyzed versus coal ranks using the X-ray phase analysis and mass spectrometry in the in-situ mode. Some structural characteristics of coal samples are determined quantitatively, namely: carbon lattice spacing, thickness and diameter of carbon layer, number of carbon layers subject to heating temperature and rank of a sample. The pattern of variation in the structure of coal substance before and after baking, as well as the composition of gases emitted from coal samples under heating to 800 °С are presented. The influences of a large cluster of magmatic deposits in the Altai–Sayan folded area (Gornaya Shoria and Khakassia) on metamorphism of coal-and methane substance in formation of different grade coals in the adjacent Kuznetsk Coal Basin are listed. The higher role of the temperature factor in formation of graphite as against the confining pressure in formation of coal is proved. The studies into the pore structure of coal samples made it possible to determine the volume and diameter of pores in coals of different ranks. The X-ray phase analysis shows that methane molecules cannot occupy the space between the carbon layers of the crystalline structure and mostly concentrate in the disordered areas in coal, as well as in the surface layers and on the surface of crystal grains.

Kiryaeva T. A., Oparin V. N., Yatsenko D. A. Micro and nano structure analysis of coal substance versus coal ranks. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(5):5-23. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_5_0_5.

The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Project No. 20-05-00051.

T.A. Kiryaeva¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, e-mail: coalmetan@mail.ru,
V.N. Oparin¹, Dr. Sci. (Phys. Mathem.), Professor, Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of Department,
D.A. Yatsenko, Researcher, Federal Research Center Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia; Senior Lecturer, Novosibirsk State University, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia,
¹ Chinakal Institute of Mining of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 630091, Novosibirsk, Russia.

T.A. Kiryaeva, e-mail: coalmetan@mail.ru.

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