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METHODOLOGY
3.1
3.1.1.1
Polished Blocks
Blocks of coals of suitable size are usually cut from a column sample of a
coal bed. Individual blocks are clearly labelled as to their stratigraphic
position and orientation in the coal bed. If the blocks are highly fractured,
embedding in an epoxy resin may be necessary prior to cutting into
smaller blocks. A block with cross-sectional surface area about 5 x 10 cm
is usually adequate for such preparation and is primarily prepared for
macroscopic examination. For microscopic investigation the blocks should
be cut small enough such that they will fit into cylindrical molds 2.54 cm
(1 in.) or 3.18 cm (1.25 in.) in diameter, filled with epoxy, cured and
polished with automated grinders and polishers.
Polished Briquets
Polished
briquets
(pellets)
are
made
from
crushed
coal
samples
The crushed coal is then further crushed with a hand mill or a power mill
that revolves at 30 rpm or less. The throughput is sieved with a 20-mesh
(850 m) screen. The oversize material is crushed and sieved again until
all of it passes through the 20-mesh screen. Five to six stages of crushing
may be required in order to generate the minimum amounts of fines (less
than 40 m). The crushed coal is then mixed with an epoxy resint mixture
in the ratio of about four parts coal to one part epoxy by volume,
thoroughly mixed and filled into a cylindrical steel mold 2.54 cm (1 in.) or
3.18 cm (1.25 in.) in diameter. The coal-epoxy mixture is then briquetted
under a pressure of approximately 350 kg/cm2 (5000 psi) for 2 min. a
releasing agent must be used to avoid bonding the briquette to the mold.
The briquette is then allowed to cure in the mold overnight. After removal
from the mold, the briquettes are placed in a holder and are ready for
grinding and polishing with an automated grinder/polisher. The briquettes
are ground successively with 240, 400 and 600 grit silicon carbide paper
and 5.0 and 0.3 m alumina on synthetic cloth and 0.05 m alumina on
silk.
3.1.2.1
A flat
3.2