Biochemical and geochemical origins of ash-forming ingredients in coal
The biochemical and geochemical origins of ash forming components in coal were investigated by analyzing the ashes of peat, humic acids extracted from peat, and the ashes of living plants similar to those forming peats. The composition of coal and weathered coal were compared with the data generated in the research. Semiquantitative analyses were reported for 33 elements in plant ash and peat ash and for 36 elements in humic acid extracts from peat. The plant specimens tested included 16 samples typical of Carboniferous Age coal-forming plants and 5 specimens representing Teritary flora. Thirteen peat samples from the Rice Lake Bog near Duluth, Minnesota and humic acid extracts from these peats were analyzed. The plant ashes were found to be rich in K, Ca, Mg, Na, Li, Ba, and Si. These elements were notably depleted in the peat ashes, probably because they are relatively soluble and are lost during degradation of early peatification stages. Elements concentrated in peat ash which are retained from the original mineral content of the coal plants ar Zn and B. Humic acids in peat show high concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mo, Pb, Cr, Ni, Co, Sn, and Zn. The elements found in humic acid ashes but not in plant or peat ashes include Nb, Bi, Ge, and Au. During coal weathering U, Mo, and possibly Fe and Ge are combined with the organic matter in coal. Minerals added to coal during the peatification stages are detrital clay minerals.
- OSTI ID:
- 5696276
- Journal Information:
- Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Gas Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Gas Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States); ISSN ACGPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
010600* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
58 GEOSCIENCES
580400 -- Geochemistry-- (-1989)
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ASHES
BARIUM
BORON
CALCIUM
CENOZOIC ERA
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHROMIUM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COPPER
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GREAT LAKES REGION
HUMIC ACIDS
IRON
LEAD
LITHIUM
MAGNESIUM
METALS
MINNESOTA
MISSISSIPPIAN PERIOD
MOLYBDENUM
NICKEL
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MATTER
PALEOZOIC ERA
PEAT
POTASSIUM
REFRACTORY METALS
RESIDUES
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SODIUM
TERTIARY PERIOD
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
ZINC