ORGANIC PETROLOGY OF SELECTED TERTIARY KALIMANTAN COALS

Convention Bandung 2004 (CB2004) The 33^rd Annual Convention & Exhibition 2004

Indonesian Association of Geologist Horizon Hotel, 29-30 Nov, 1 Oct 2004, Bandung

ORGANIC PETROLOGY OF SELECTED TERTIARY
KALIMANTAN COALS

By :

Binarko Santoso and Bukin Daulay

R and D Centre for Mineral and Coal Technology
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman 623 Bandung 40211
Ph. 022-6030483, fax. 022-6003373, email binarkos@tekmira.esdm.go.id

ABSTRACT

Study on organic petrology was carried out on both East and South Kalimantan Palaeogene and Neogene coals. West and Central Kalimantan coals are ignored in the study, because their geological conditions are not favourable and the seams are usually thin and generally rich in argillaceous or arenaceous mineral matter.

Similarities and differences in type and rank characteristics in the coals reflect their geological setting. Rank and type variation of the coals were assessed by petrographic examination of 40 samples. The coals are dominated by vitrinite, common exinite and rare inertinite and mineral matter. The type differences reflect climatic influence and differences in peat conditions.

Rank of the coals depends largely on the geological age and the level of temperature under confining pressure (burial depth). Increased depth of burial and increased temperature and pressure over a period of time, consequently result in higher rank. Reflectance measurements on the coals indicate that there is a substantial difference in rank between Palaeogene and Neogene coals. The Palaeogene coals are sub-bituminous to high volatile bituminous rank (R_vmax of 0.53- 0.67%), whereas Neogene coals are brown to sub-bituminous rank (R_vmax of 0.30-0.57%), according to the Australian classification.