• Elemental characterization and moisture content of coal >
• Ultimate analysis standard methods on coal >
• Sulfur Determination for Mineral Grade Evaluation >
• Materialography Solutions Empowering Geology and Mining Laboratories >
• Polished Mounts for Mineral and Ore Analysis >
• Thin Section >

• Vacuum Impregnation of Porous Geological Samples >
• Preparation of Petrographic Thin Sections >
• Microhardness Testing of Minerals and Rocks >
• Grain Size Analysis of Sediments and Soils with Laser Diffraction >
• Gas Storage Capacity of Coal and Shale (Methane/CO₂ Adsorption Isotherms) >
• Wollastonite Morphology Analysis >

Ultimate analysis standard methods on coal

Ultimate analysis of coal is standardized in both ISO and ASTM methods, sometimes referred to as “elemental analysis” or part of a coal’s “ultimate” properties. ASTM D5373 and ISO 29541 cover C, H, N by instrumental combustion; ASTM D4239 and ISO 19579 cover sulfur by high-temperature combustion/IR detection. Industry literature emphasizes the importance of these measurements for coal grading.

For instance, hydrogen content contributes to water formation during combustion, reducing usable heat, so it’s directly tied to coal’s effective calorific value. Measuring these elements precisely with analyzers like Eltra’s ensures that mining operations and coal buyers have reliable data on fuel quality.

Solutions Empowering Geology and Mining Laboratories

QATM’s precision preparation equipment is essential for advancing material studies in the fields of geology and mining. From mineralogical assessments to specialized planetary research, QATM offers the tools and techniques to deliver reliable, high-quality sample preparation for a broad range of geoscientific applications.

Applications in Mining and Mineral Analysis

Observation of Opaque Minerals

Many ore minerals, including pyrite, chalcopyrite, and galena, are opaque. These must be examined in reflected light using a polished surface to reveal key features such as mineralogy, grain boundaries, exsolution textures, and microfractures.

Quantitative Automated Mineralogy

Systems like QEMSCAN or MLA use SEM/EDS to scan polished surfaces for mapping mineral compositions. These are widely used in mining operations to evaluate mineral liberation and associations, crucial for optimizing processing techniques.

Electron Microprobe Analysis

A polished, smooth surface ensures accurate X-ray detection during microprobe analyses. This is essential for studying zonation, identifying tiny mineral inclusions, and determining detailed chemical compositions.

Coal Rank and Petrographic Analysis

In coal studies, polished pellets are used to measure the reflectance of vitrinite macerals—an essential parameter for classifying coal rank and assessing suitability for coke production.

Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry

For analyzing fluid inclusions, doubly-polished thick sections (polished on both sides) are required. High-quality polishing is crucial to clearly observe tiny inclusions, especially in quartz and ore minerals.

Standards and Best Practices

General Metallography: ASTM E3 outlines standard practices for metallographic sample preparation.

ISO 7404-2 and ASTM D2797 specify preparation methods for coal pellets, including the use of aluminum oxide for final polishing to prevent alteration of reflectance measurements.

Polished mounts are indispensable tools in both academic and industrial geoscience. They bridge the gap between observational and analytical methods, offering a reliable platform for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. 

Vacuum Impregnation of Porous Geological Samples

Stabilizing and reinforcing porous, fissile, or particulate geological samples by impregnating them with resin under vacuum before cutting or polishing. Many geological materials – e.g., highly porous sandstones, loosely consolidated soils, coal, or mineral concentrates – can crumble or lose pieces during preparation. Vacuum impregnation fills the pores and cracks with epoxy, providing mechanical support and preventing the loss of material (or bubble formation) when sectioning and polishing.

Why it is performed:

• To preserve sample integrity: A friable ore with vugs or a weathered rock with clay-filled fractures might fall apart if cut dry. Impregnation ensures the sample holds together and the internal structure is preserved for microscopy. Without impregnation, pores might collapse or grains detach, which would ruin a thin section or polished mount.
• To achieve good polish and representation: Open pores can lead to dragging of softer material into holes during polishing, causing relief and preventing a flat surface. Filling pores with resin provides a continuous surface that can be polished flat – critical for quantitative image analysis or electron microprobe work (where holes would cause beam artifacts).
• In preparation of powdered samples into a solid mount: Sometimes geologists want to examine a powdered sample (like heavy mineral separates or tailings). These can be mixed with resin and cast into a solid plug under vacuum to remove air and ensure particles are locked in place.
• Under vacuum, resin penetrates even fine pores (capillary action alone might not fill tiny cracks due to trapped air). This yields a stronger, void-free mount.

Microhardness Testing of Minerals and Rocks Precise Measurement of Mineral and Phase Hardness in Geosciences

Micro-indentation hardness testing—using techniques such as Vickers or Knoop under low loads—is a powerful method for evaluating the hardness of individual mineral grains and phases in geological specimens. While commonly used in metallurgy, this technique is equally valuable in the geosciences. QATM microhardness testers, originally developed under the Qness brand, offer precise, reliable measurement solutions that extend beyond metals to polished rock, ore, coal, and planetary samples.

Key Applications of Microhardness Testing in Geology

• Quantitative Mineral Hardness Characterization
  Unlike the traditional Mohs scale, which is qualitative, microhardness testing provides numerical values (e.g., Vickers Hardness Number) for mineral hardness. This allows for more accurate comparisons, the detection of subtle differences between visually similar minerals (e.g., calcite vs. aragonite), and even insights into compositional zoning within a single crystal (e.g., core-to-rim changes in garnet).
• Ore Comminution Studies
  The hardness of individual mineral phases affects how rocks fracture and grind. Harder minerals may resist fragmentation, remaining as coarse particles and potentially trapping softer or valuable phases. Microhardness data supports modeling of ore fragmentation and optimization of grinding processes.
• Coal Weathering and Oxidation Monitoring
  Research—including early studies by Given & Nandi in the 1970s—has shown that coal microhardness can increase as it oxidizes due to chemical bonding changes. This makes microhardness a useful proxy for assessing coal oxidation and weathering, which impacts its gas content, coke-making quality, and storage stability.
• Meteorites and Planetary Materials
  Understanding the microhardness of extraterrestrial phases can offer insights into their abrasion resistance, behavior during atmospheric entry, or response to impact events—key considerations in planetary science.
• Construction Materials (Concrete Aggregates)
  Microhardness testing is also used to evaluate the hardness contrast between aggregate particles and the cement matrix. This helps in predicting wear resistance and polishing behavior in applications like industrial flooring.

Qness 10 / 60 M

^{AR-Model - Visit the page with your smartphone or scan the QR code under "View in Room" and experience the 3D model in the real world!}

Gas Storage Capacity of Coal and Shale (Methane/CO₂ Adsorption Isotherms)

Microtrac’s BELSORP high-pressure systems deliver precise adsorption isotherms up to several MPa, replicating reservoir conditions (0–5 MPa for methane). These instruments support international standards (ISO 18866 in development, ISO 15901-2:2022) and national norms such as China’s GB/T for coal methane sorption. By quantifying parameters like Langmuir volume and pressure, the technique underpins reserve estimation, CO₂-enhanced coalbed methane recovery, and greenhouse gas sequestration strategies. With standard, reliable data, geoscientists can design and optimize reservoir operations—making high-pressure adsorption analysis fundamental for both energy resource development and environmental management.  

Particle Morphology Characterization:

DIA simultaneously records thousands of high-resolution images per second, providing length and width distributions, aspect ratio, elongation, and sphericity. For acicular minerals like wollastonite, these parameters are essential for correlating morphology with functional properties.

Standard Methods:

• ISO 13322-2: Particle size analysis — Image analysis methods
• ISO 13320: Laser diffraction methods (complementary for size distribution)