Application of laser Raman spectroscopic parameters of coal maceral analysis with different maturity

Abstract

Laser Raman spectroscopy has shown a good application prospect for maceral analysis. Raman spectroscopic analysis of different macerals (e.g., vitrinite, semifusinite and macrinite) in coal samples with different maturity (%Ro=0.49%-1.88%) was carried out in this study, and results show that three macerals have significantly different Raman spectrum parameters, which have the following implications for the macerals analysis of coal: (1) Macerals in coal samples can be distinguished by the combination of Raman spectrum parameters. There are 21 kinds of parameter combinations discussed in this study, which can be used as reference standard for the classification of these organic macerals; (2) Peak displacement (WD1) is the most critical parameter to distinguish the macerals of coal samples. The influence of thermal evolution should be considered, which may assistant for the study of maceral differences in the Lower Paleozoic which are in the high to over mature stage with optical properties gradually converging. Therefore, Raman spectrum parameters can be used as an effective method for maceral analysis.

Keywords

• macerals
• maturity
• raman spectrum parameters
• coal sample