Sample preparation of x-ray diffraction analysis and clay mineralogy of Devonian shale from the Appalachian basin

Technical Report · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6567380· OSTI ID:6567380

Hosterman, J W; Loferski, P J

Three well-known methods of preparing the clay fraction for x-ray diffraction analysis were tested and evaluated. Kaolinite was not identified in samples prepared by the two settling methods because of layering due to differing/settling rates of the clay minerals. It is suggested that if one of the two settling methods of sample preparation is used that the clay film should be thin enough for the x-ray beam to penetrate the entire thickness of clay. The vacuum method of sample preparation is preferred. Chlorite, kaolinite, 2M illite (muscovite), and mixed layer are the clay minerals found by x-ray diffraction analysis in Devonian shale of the Appalachian basin. The proportions of mixed-layer clay minerals were determined by comparing areas of selected basal peaks on x-ray diffraction traces of untreated samples with those of samples that had been heated and saturated by ethylene glycol.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Reston, VA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-76ET10136
• OSTI ID: 6567380
• Report Number(s): DOE/METC-2287/112
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040201* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Site Geology-- (-1989)
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM SILICATES
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
BLACK SHALES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHATTANOOGA FORMATION
CHLORITE MINERALS
CLAYS
COHERENT SCATTERING
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIFFRACTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
ILLITE
KAOLINITE
MATERIALS
MINERALOGY
MINERALS
OIL SHALES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SAMPLE PREPARATION
SCATTERING
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION