Regional Classification of Jharia Coals based on their Washability Characteristics

On the basis of available data on the washability characteristics of Barakar Measure seams of Jharia coalfield, an attempt has been made in this paper to study the range of variation in the cleaning possibilities of the coal seams both in vertical sequence and in lateral extents. From the results of this study, it has been found possible to draw some broad lines of demarcation whereby the entire coalfield is divided into three regions or zones (Western, Central and Eastern) in which the recoveries of clean coal both on fixed ash and fixed gravity basis are more or less well-defined. So also in vertical succession, following the stratigraphic sequence, the coal seams, from the point of view of their cleaning characteristics, can be divided under two major groups. The first group comprising XIII to XVIII seams show much better cleaning characteristics than the second group in which seams V to XII are included. The proposed classification closely follows the probable conditions of sedimentation of these seams, as established from geological evidences