The physico-chemical properties and utilization of Early Carboniferous anthracite in the northeast of Yunnan Province

After more than 10 years of resources exploration and scientific research, the distribution, coal characteristics, and main direction of utilization for the Early Carboniferous anthracite in the northeast of Yunnan Province (Zhaotong) have been basically found out. Compared to anthracites of the other geological ages and/or in other regions worldwide, the anthracite in this region has relatively lower mineral content, dominant collinite, the content of C and H up to 97%, and 0.58 H/C ratio. Results of the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) revealed that the chemical composition of organic matter and configuration are similar to those of mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB). The prepared super-low-ash anthracite is a high-quality raw material for a variety of carbons and new carbon-related materials. It is significant both in economic construction and social development in China to exploit such coal resources in order and protectively.