The Geology and Geochemical Characterization of Tercha Coal, Southwestern Ethiopia: Indication for Energy Value
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Date
2018-05-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Energy is critical input for different purposes. Present study deals with characterizing the energy of Tercha coal and its use. In countries, like Ethiopia, which imports almost all of their energy source, hydrocarbon, further analysis of known deposits and investigation of new area, like this, should forward in detail to decrease exchange rates, expand energy related accessibilities, factories, agricultural sector and others. The coal, in which this research conducted, is found in Southwestern Ethiopia, Dawro Zone, Tercha town approximately 550 Km distant from Addis Ababa. The geology of the area comprises two rock groups of Oligocene age; Igneous (trachyte, welded ignimbrite and volcanic glass units) and Sedimentary (mudstone, shale and coal units) rocks. NW and SE part of the study area is covered by volcanic rock while the sedimentary units are exposed along NE and SW part. The units are formed in two different swamps or lagoons. Different stratigraphic sections recorded in SW part of the study area are correlated litho-stratigraphically.
The main objective of this research is characterization of the physical and chemical properties of the coal in the perspective of its energy value for different economic scopes. The methods involved to achieve the objectives are desk studies about the area, fieldwork for mapping and sampling, laboratory analysis (Proximate, Ultimate, CV and TOC).
Four stratigraphic sections and Geological map (1:10,000) have been developed. The coal thickness in S1 and S2 stratigraphic sections, are very thin and dominated by clastic materials. The integrated analysis results confirmed that the coal which is found NE of the study area, is higher than other studied coal, in its rank (High Volatile B bituminous coal), best energy (steel-grade I) and, vitrinite and liptinite in maceral type in addition to that of it has considerable thickness. The coal which is found south of the study area, is subbituminous – bituminous in rank and Washery Grade IV in its energy value. Seam 1 and seam 4 are lowest in grade, rank and its energy value. From all studied samples, in general, the coal found southern and NE part of the study area have better quality for different economic purposes like; steam, coking, power generation, fertilizer production, in cement industry and chemical production.
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Keywords
Tercha, Coal, Energy Value, Calorific Value