Fluorescence microscopic investigations of the main lignite seam from the Neyveli Lignite field, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The organic (maceral) composition of the main lignite seam encountered in bore-holes NLE-27, 35 and 36 from mine III of Neyveli Lignitefield has been investigated under fluorescence mode (blue light excitation). The lignites are of the sub-bituminous C stage (R₀ max. 0.39% ASTM classification) and predominate in the huminite group of macerals followed by those of the liptinite and inertinite groups. Liptinite macerals, viz., liptodetrinite, bituminite, chlorophyllinite and various forms of resinite and perhydrous huminite, usually indistinct under normal mode are recognized and more information about their characters and mode of occurrence has been presented. The data generated have led to a more detailed understanding of the source material, swamp type, and genesis of Neyveli's main lignite seam.