COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MAXIMUM VITRINITE REFLECTANCE AGAINST OTHER PARAMETERS IN COAL RANK DETERMINATION

• Main Author: S. I. Nugroho, Anandito
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/85518
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Indonesia has abundant coal resources and reserves. Considering the vast reserves, research on the parameters determining coal ranking becomes essential to optimize coal usage based on its composition. This research aims to determine the relationship between maximum vitrinite reflectance and inherent moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and calorific value and evaluate the suitability of these parameters in determining coal ranking. The primary data used in this study are the results of analyses from 9 samples taken from Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan Province. In comparison, the secondary data are the results of analyses from 241 samples collected from various locations in Indonesia and China. The analysis methods carried out in this research include proximate analysis, calorific value, and maximum vitrinite reflectance. The results show that maximum vitrinite reflectance has a positive correlation with fixed carbon content and calorific value parameters and a negative correlation with inherent moisture content and volatile matter parameters. Moreover, the results indicate that maximum vitrinite reflectance is a suitable parameter for determining coal ranking, both for low and high-rank coal. Volatile matter and fixed carbon are also suitable parameters for determining high-rank coal, while calorific value is a suitable parameter for lowrank coal. However, the inherent moisture content is less suitable as a parameter for determining coal rank.