PETROGRAPHIC CHARACTERIZATION OF COAL USING AUTOMATIC IMAGE ANALYSIS

Preliminary evaluation of a new method for quantitative characterization of the petrographic constituents of coal is described. Although the technique is still in the development stage it does demonstrate the potential use of image analysers in coal petrography. The method involves the use of an image analysing computer to produce a‘fingerprint’ representing both the maceral composition and rank of the coal. This technique enables the quantitative measurement of coal structural parameters, previously unobtainable by normal routine analysis procedures. These parameters include intersected size distribution and shape factor of inert components. Maceral and reflectance distributions equivalent to those produced by presently available analysis procedures can also be determined. The development of this technique should eliminate the subjective nature of maceral and reflectance analyses and it also has the advantages normally associated with automation, such as increased speed of analysis and reproducibility of results. 1979 Blackwell Science Ltd