Masters Theses

Abstract

"Under a grant from the National Air Pollution Control Administration, the Missouri Geological Survey undertook a core drilling program of coals in north-central Missouri. The chemical and petrographic characteristics of five complete samples of the Croweburg coal recovered from this drilling project are major contributions of this study. Detailed lithologic logs of the drill cores are an additional contribution of the investigation. Megascopic lithotypes of vitrain, fusain, clarain, and durain as well as areas of mineral matter are described from polished column samples of the Croweburg coal for the first time in Missouri. Measured Croweburg coal sections from five drill cores show thicknesses ranging from 12.5 to 25.5 inches. The coal bed is composed primarily of finely laminated clarain. This generally increases in percent towards the west. Vitrain bands are present but seldom exceed four millimeters in thickness. Fusain occurs along bedding planes in very thin lenses. Durain was observed in only one coal section. Both authigenic and secondary mineral inclusions are present in the coal with the content generally increasing towards the east. Proximate and ultimate analyses, sulfur content, BTU, and ash fusibility are tabulated for the five coal sections. Average sulfur content is 5.5 percent with a range of 3.9 to 10.3. BTU value of the coal averages 14,194. Microscopic components identified and counted under reflected light included vitrinite, exinite, inertinite, and mineral matter. Vitrinite averages 86.1 percent, inertinite 3.7 percent, and exinite 2.8 percent. Mineral matter and pyrite averages 7.4 percent. Vitrinite generally increases towards the west, whereas inertinite, exinite, and mineral matter generally increase towards the east. Practical uses of coal petrography in exploration and exploitation of coal mine lands are suggested. Other practical applications such as coal correlation, cost estimates in mining, and coal preparation are briefly described. Five detailed logs of the diamond drill hole cores are included as appendixes. These coals were logged using a system which describes the lithology, grain size, angularity, and standard colors. Also recorded were structure, alteration, and mineral inclusions. Ultraviolet light inspections and radiometric measurements were made on all the core. Dark shales show the greatest radiometric response with decreasing counts for lighter shales, sandstone, limestone, siltstone, clay, and coal in this order. Only calcite in limestones and coals reacted to the ultraviolet light"--Abstract, pages ii-iv.

Advisor(s)

Proctor, Paul Dean, 1918-1999

Committee Member(s)

Beveridge, Thomas R. (Thomas Robinson), 1918-1978
Bruzewski, Robert F., 1918-1978

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Geology

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

1971

Pagination

ix, 94 pages

Geographic Coverage

Missouri

Rights

© 1971 William Keith Wedge, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Coal -- Missouri -- AnalysisCoal -- Geology -- MissouriDrill cores -- Missouri

Thesis Number

T 2671

Print OCLC #

6038520

Electronic OCLC #

880425496

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