Theoretical estimation of in situ bulk density of coal

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 84, No. 949, 1991

G. Grant Smith, Institute of Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology Geological Survey of Canada, Calgary, Alberta

In situ bulk density of coal is a variable applied to various aspects of coal resource evaluation, such as compositing ply analyses of coal attributes that are expressed on a weight per cent basis, and determining tonnages from volume estimates. Its value is a function of composition and porosity of the in situ material. When densities of ash-free coal, ash and water are fixed, in situ bulk density of a coaly mix can be expressed as a function of proportionate weight of ash in the mix. Correlations between in situ bulk densities and weight per cent ash contents of coaly mixes have been estimated for four general rank classes of coal (low-medium volatile bituminous, high volatile bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignitic).

Keywords: Coal, In situ bulk density, Compositing, Resource estimation.