Support Services in Petrographic Analysis of Coal and Fly Ash Studies

The Applied Petrology Laboratory at the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research has been playing a support role in the USGS State Coop program. In particular, we have been conducting petrographic analyses on coals from the World Coal Quality Inventory. Several presentations and published papers (Belkin et al., 2009, 2010, 2013; Hower et al., 1996, 1997, 1999, 20002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013a,b,c; Hower and Ruppert, 2011; Johnston et al., 2013, 2014; Mardon et al., 2014; O’Keefe et al., 2011; Richardson et al., 2012; Ruppert et al., 2005, 2010), both by the CAER and by the USGS, have been completed and more are under development. This list includes studies of Kentucky and other US coals and studies involving WoCQI coals. Because we are looking at coals that have rarely, if ever, been studied in this manner, we are seeing petrographic relationships that may provide insight into broader problems in the discipline and into questions about the origin and maturation of coals. We have also provided technical support for the preparation of petrographic pellets for power plant studies. Objectives The CAER Applied Petrology Laboratory will perform petrographic analyses as requested on international and domestic coal and shale samples. As part of our responsibilities under this program, we have conducted vitrinite reflectance measurements on shales for the Texas BEG. In addition to mine samples, we also have experience in analyzing coals and coal-combustion products (fly ash, etc.) from power plants. In some cases, CAER staff could be available for assistance in logistical and field support for power plant studies, as was done in a 2010 USGS sampling at a Kentucky power plant.