Geochemistry and mineralogy of a uraniferous subbituminous coal
Analytical studies of partially weathered Red Desert subbituminous coal from Wyoming were made to determine the mineralogical composition and geochemical characteristics of the sample in relation to the presence of U in the coal. The coal, obtained from the Luman No. 1 bed, was subjected to semiquantitative spectrographic analysis (28 elements) and x-ray diffraction. Spectrographic analysis was reported on 3 size fractions (-20 x 50 mesh, -140 x 200 mesh, and -325 mesh) and the original whole coal. Mineral components were removed from the coal material by specific gravity separations and reported as percentage estimates because of indistinct separations. Clay mineral and quartz identification were by x-ray diffraction. The approximate mineral content of the Luman No. 1 coal was: gypsum - 6%, kaolinite - 1.0%, quartz - 0.3%, calcite and limonite - trace. Size fractions and sink-float fractions were ashed and analyzed for U content which was found to decrease as ash increases. The cos. Quantitative chemical analysis for U, Ge, V, and Ni in the whole coal and ash were done to check the results of the semiquantitative analyses. Ash content from the proximate analyses indicated that the coal samples tested were similar to vitrain in ash percentage. Because of the unusually high percentages of U and Ge and the low ash of the coals tested, the author felt that the U and Ge might be associated wire also observed with lower radiation doses (200 and 400 rad).
- OSTI ID:
- 6276991
- Journal Information:
- Econ. Geol.; (United States), Vol. 50:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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SUBBITUMINOUS COAL
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URANIUM
NATURAL OCCURRENCE
CALCITE
CLAYS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
GYPSUM
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
KAOLINITE
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010600* - Coal
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580400 - Geochemistry- (-1989)
050100 - Nuclear Fuels- Reserves
Exploration
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