Review of coal quality variation in Late Permian Coal Measures of the Bowen Basin, Australia

摘要

Coal quality variation can be related to the original depositional conditions and diagenetic history of a basin. The coal seams in the Bowen Basin are continuous for over 200 km along strike although splitting is common. The surrounding sediments change from terrestrial to marine along the strike length. The change is reflected in the ash chemistry of the mineable seams. For example, coals in the marine influenced German Creek formation exhibit slightly higher sulphur content compared to the fluvial dominated Moranbah coal measures that are the northern equivalent coals. Seams also become thinner and increase in the total vitrinite content. As a result, their mining and utilisation properties change when considered in conjunction wit h rank. Rangal coal measures and their coastal equivalent measures form top of the sequence and are significantly different from older coal measures in terms of their ash chemistry. Their phosphorus, Fe_2O_3, CaO, and K_2O are notably higher than the other coal measures.