Petrological Studies of Coals from East Bokaro Coalfield, Bihar

Coals from two major seams viz., Karo and Bermo seams, East Bokaro Coalfield, Bihar were washed in the laboratory at different specific gravity medium. Chemical and petrological analyses of unwashed coals and the washed fractions from these were undertaken. Reflectance measurements (by Seyler's method) were made on the vitrinites for the unwashed coals and for different Iloat fractions after washing. The clean coals show an improved assemblage of macerals and reflecting components from the point of view of their physical and coking properties. It is also noticed that at 1.50 to 1.55 specific gravity cuts, the floats show a good reduction in ash content and a definite concentration of vitrinite and reflecting components, responsible for developing better coking characters. It is further observed that the coals from bottom section of the Bermo seam is more amenable to cleaning than the coal from the top section.