The petrographic composition of Cretaceous-Cenozoic-age coals from the Anambra Basin in the Lower Benue Trough of Nigeria is presented and discussed in the paleodepositional settings of the coal the in Lower Benue Trough. The Anambra Basin is a failed arm of the triple junction of an inland sedimentary basin that extends in a NE-SW direction from the Gulf of Guinea in the south, to the Chad Basin in the north. A total of thirteen (13) coal samples were obtained from 12 coal localities in the Anambra Basin, Lower Benue Trough (LBT). The proximate analysis was conducted on the coal samples using a Perkin Elmer Thermogravimetric Analyzer following the procedure of ASTM D3172-13 (2013). Ultimate analysis was undertaken at Bureau Veritas, Centurion, South Africa, following SANS 17247 (2006) and ISO 17247 (2005). The data indicates the coal samples have a high volatile matter content, low ash yield, and high calorific value (28.39 MJ/Kg, areal average). Similarly, the sulfur values are generally low with a real average of 1.08 %. The vegetal matter is dominated by vitrinite, with an average of 48.7% by volume (mineral matter free). Petrographic analysis (macerals composition) and thermal gravimetric analysis were conducted on the coal samples to examine the coal composition. Based on The results obtained from the coal composition and combustion behaviour pattern, it revealed that all the coals within the Anambra Basin can be used for electric power generation.
Key words: Benue Trough, Coal Petrography, Combustion Profiles, Thermogravimetric Analyzer
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