Analysis of Coal Cores Using Micro-XRF Scanning Techniques

This chapter explores the application of micro-XRF scanning to the inorganic geochemical analysis of drill cores obtained from coal exploration programs. It describes the development and use of a calibration to obtain detailed quantitative profiles of major inorganic elements through cores of bituminous coal seams, and hence allow rapid evaluation of mineral matter variations at a much greater detail than traditional bulk sampling techniques. The calibration was applied to core segments from an Australian coal seam, to quantify micro-XRF data obtained at 200 µm intervals using an Itrax core scanner system. In combination with high resolution optical imaging and X-radiography, also obtained from the scanning process, this enabled a detailed understanding of the variations in inorganic element characteristics through each coal segment, which could then be related to the distribution of particular mineral matter components. Such an approach can be used to provide a better understanding of the factors responsible for variations in coal quality, including the distribution of elements within the seam having particular economic or environmental significance.