Proximate and Ultimate Characteristics of Some Nigerian Coal Deposits in Benue Trough and Anambra Basin

Abstract

Forty coal samples (4 samples per deposit) from ten Nigerian coal deposits that span over Anambra basin and Benue Trough were sampled and analyzed for their proximate, ultimate and elemental characteristics. These coal deposits include Onyema, Okpara, Ogboyoga, Okaba, Owukpa, Ibobo, Udane Biomi and Iva Valley in the Anambra basin and Lafia-Obi and Maiganga in the Benue Trough. The conventional proximate and ultimate analysis method methods of American Standard Test Methods (ASTM) were employed in this study. The moisture contents of the coals range from 2.45 at Udane Biomi to 11.02% at Maiganga coal. The ash contents of the coals range from 7.30-40.65%, with Lafia Obi recording the highest of 40.65% and Iva Valley with the lowest of (7.30%). Volatile matter for the coals ranges from 11.12-74.22% with Iva Valley having the highest value of 74.22% while Lafia Obi recorded the lowest of 11.12%. the fixed carbon content for the coal also range from 10.52 to 57.85% with Udane Biomi recording the highest value of 57.85% while Ogboyoga has 10.50% as the lowest. The coals are generally low in N2 and have fairly high P and S.