Environmental Monitoring

Determination of Coal Moisture – Minimum Free Space Oven (MFS)
Sulfur Determination for Acid Drainage Potential >
Total Organic Carbon in Soil/Sediment >
Grain Size Analysis of Sediments and Soils with Laser Diffraction >
Gas Storage Capacity of Coal and Shale (Methane/CO₂ Adsorption Isotherms) >

Determination of Coal Moisture – Minimum Free Space Oven (MFS)

Moisture content is one of the most critical parameters in coal analysis. It directly affects coal’s calorific value, handling properties, storage stability, and overall efficiency in combustion or coking processes. Accurate determination of moisture is therefore an essential step in mining quality control and process optimization.

Application Relevance

Fuel Value Assessment: Moisture lowers the effective heating value of coal, reducing energy output.
Handling and Storage: Excessive moisture leads to transport inefficiencies, spontaneous heating, and degradation risks.
Coke Production: Reliable moisture data ensures consistent coal blending and predictable carbonization.
Standards Compliance: Determination of moisture is part of the internationally recognized proximate analysis of coal.

Carbolite Gero MFS Ovens are designed specifically for this task, providing accurate, reproducible results in line with standards such as ASTM D3173 and ISO 11722. With optimized heating conditions and robust chamber design, they ensure precise measurement of inherent and surface moisture. For mining laboratories and coke producers, the MFS oven is a vital tool to secure reliable fuel characterization and optimize downstream processes.

Sulfur Determination for Acid Drainage Potential

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the most critical environmental challenges in mining. When sulfide-rich waste rock or tailings oxidize, they produce sulfuric acid that can leach metals into surrounding waters, severely impacting ecosystems and requiring costly remediation. Predicting this risk relies heavily on accurate sulfur determination. Total sulfur measurement, and when possible pyritic sulfur speciation, forms the basis of acid–base accounting (ABA) tests used globally to assess the acid-generating potential of mine materials. High sulfur values are red flags that indicate waste streams requiring special handling, encapsulation, or alkaline blending to prevent long-term environmental liabilities.

ELTRA’s CS-i carbon/sulfur analyzers provide precise, reproducible data for such assessments. Using induction combustion at >2000 °C in an oxygen atmosphere, the CS-i oxidizes all sulfide phases completely to SO₂, which is quantified by infrared detection. This high-temperature approach ensures reliable analysis even for refractory minerals such as pyrite or chalcopyrite. The system accommodates relatively large sample sizes (200–300 mg), improving representativity for heterogeneous waste rock and tailings.

The CS-i operates in accordance with established standards (e.g., ISO 14869-1 for soils and ores; ASTM D4239/ISO 19579 as analogs from coal analysis), ensuring that results are defensible for both regulatory reporting and scientific evaluation. By integrating sulfur data into ABA frameworks, mining companies can anticipate acid-generating behavior before it occurs, design effective mitigation strategies, and demonstrate compliance with environmental guidelines.

With ELTRA’s analyzers, laboratories and mine operators gain a robust tool to safeguard operations against the environmental and economic risks of acid mine drainage.

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Total Organic Carbon in Soil/Sediment

Determining Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in soils, sediments, or rock samples is an important analysis in both environmental geology and hydrocarbon exploration. In mining contexts, one might assess the organic carbon in overburden or tailings for environmental reasons, or in shale formations to evaluate source rock richness (for petroleum) or to correct assays (e.g. distinguishing carbonate carbon vs. organic carbon in assays for carbon). TOC is essentially the amount of carbon bound in organic matter, as opposed to inorganic carbon (carbonates).

The presence of organic carbon in geological materials influences soil fertility, geochemical behavior of elements, and in mining waste can affect acid generation or metal adsorption. For example, a coal mine spoil or soil might need TOC analysis to gauge how much organic material is present.

In oil/gas exploration, TOC of a shale (measured in wt%) indicates how much organic matter is available to generate hydrocarbons. In mining geology labs, TOC measurements can help in carbon balance calculations – distinguishing carbon from carbonate minerals (like calcite) versus carbon from organic compounds (like kerogen or bitumen).

TOC determination methods

The sample is analyzed for total carbon by combustion and inorganic carbon (carbonate) is determine after treating another aliquot with acid (to release CO₂). This CO2 is collected and determine with IR detector. One of the standard methods used for this determination is the ISO 10694:2021.

CS-d from Eltra can handle both organic and inorganic matrices. Typically, one portion of the sample is combusted directly to give total carbon.

Knowing TOC is critical: for instance, a high TOC in shale (>2% wt) is indicative of good petroleum source rock potential, whereas in mining waste, TOC can consume oxidants and reduce the rate of acid generation. By using Eltra’s elemental analyzers, geologists obtain both total and organic carbon easily, with results comparable to classical wet chemistry (Walkley-Black dichromate) or LOI methods, but with greater accuracy and the benefit of direct traceability to carbon weight (with calibration against certified reference materials). The approach is robust and is used in studies ranging from soil carbon sequestration to evaluating ore leaching behavior (organic matter can bind metals).

CS-d

Grain Size Analysis of Sediments and Soils with Laser Diffraction

This application is used for sedimentology studies (e.g., analyzing river, marine, or aeolian sediments), soil science and environmental geology (e.g., understanding contaminants depends on sediment grain sizes).

Grain size distribution reveals information about the depositional environment and material properties in fact can help in interpretating energy conditions of deposition. It is also used in stratigraphy and paleoclimate studies as particle size can indicate wind strength in past climate. In geotechnical engineering soil particle size affects permeability, compaction, and strength. Furthermore regulatory frameworks sometimes require soil particle size analysis for land reclamation or erosion risk assessment.

Traditionally, sieve methods as provided by Retsch are also used, but laser diffraction offers a much faster and detailed measurement across the full range. This has led to many labs adopting laser particle sizers for routine analysis of sediment cores, soil.

Laser diffraction from Microtrac offers fast, high-resolution particle size analysis with minimal sample needs. It detects fine particles better than sieves/pipettes and follows ISO 13320 and ASTM B822 standards for accuracy. Studies show good agreement with traditional methods when dispersion is adequate. Its automation, reproducibility, and ability to analyze small or rare samples make it ideal for modern sedimentology and geology labs and geological agencies (like USGS - United States Geological Survey).

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Gas Storage Capacity of Coal and Shale (Methane/CO₂ Adsorption Isotherms)

High-pressure gas adsorption isotherm measurements on coal or shale samples to determine how much gas (methane or carbon dioxide, typically) these rocks can adsorb. This application underpins assessments of coalbed methane (CBM) resources, shale gas capacity, and the viability of CO₂ sequestration in coal seams or shale formations (often coupled with Enhanced Gas Recovery concepts).

Understanding how gases interact with coal and shale is critical for energy exploration and carbon management. High-pressure adsorption studies reveal how much gas can be stored, recovered, or sequestered under real reservoir conditions.

Key Applications:

Coal mining & CBM exploration: Methane adsorption capacity (Langmuir volume) indicates how much gas a coal seam can hold.
Shale gas evaluation: Measuring both methane and CO₂ adsorption provides insight into gas-in-place and preferential sorption (CO₂ often binds more strongly, enabling enhanced methane recovery through CO₂ injection).
Carbon sequestration: Adsorption studies determine how much CO₂ can be securely stored in unmineable coal seams or organic-rich shales, with focus on stability and kinetics.

Microtrac’s BELSORP high-pressure systems deliver precise adsorption isotherms up to several MPa, replicating reservoir conditions (0–5 MPa for methane). These instruments support international standards (ISO 18866 in development, ISO 15901-2:2022) and national norms such as China’s GB/T for coal methane sorption. By quantifying parameters like Langmuir volume and pressure, the technique underpins reserve estimation, CO₂-enhanced coalbed methane recovery, and greenhouse gas sequestration strategies. With standard, reliable data, geoscientists can design and optimize reservoir operations—making high-pressure adsorption analysis fundamental for both energy resource development and environmental management.

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RETSCH Experince

Recycling Mine Waste with High-Energy Milling

Mine tailings often contain hazardous residues but also valuable secondary minerals. Within the Horizon Europe START project, the Retsch High Energy Ball Mill Emax is used to transform waste sulfide materials, such as tetrahedrite, into nanostructured powders for thermoelectric applications.

Thanks to its unmatched energy input and water-cooled operation, the Emax enables rapid, room-temperature synthesis with stable particle size distribution. This approach not only reduces environmental risks from tailings but also promotes the valorization of byproducts, supporting sustainable mining practices and creating opportunities for secondary resource recovery.

Methane in Rocks – Geochemical Insights

Methane trapped in mineral inclusions provides vital clues to Earth’s carbon cycle and resource formation. Using Retsch Planetary Ball Mills, rock samples are ground in sealed zirconium oxide jars equipped with aeration lids, allowing controlled gas extraction without contamination.

The released methane is then analyzed by Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy, delivering highly precise concentration and isotopic data. This workflow enables researchers to distinguish between biological and geochemical methane origins, advancing studies in global carbon cycling, shale gas exploration, and environmental monitoring.

Retsch equipment ensures safe, reproducible, and contamination-free preparation for these sensitive geochemical analyses.

Soil Analytics – From Stones to Reliable Data

Soil analysis supports agriculture, land management, and environmental monitoring by assessing nutrients and contaminants. Achieving reproducible results requires thorough homogenization, but stones and agglomerates often distort measurements.

Retsch offers a tailored solution: Jaw Crushers pre-crush large agglomerates, while the Vibratory Sieve Shaker AS 200 control efficiently separates stones from soil. This ensures that only representative fine fractions are analyzed, improving accuracy in nutrient profiling and heavy metal monitoring.

By combining robust crushing with precise sieving, Retsch systems streamline soil analytics, safeguard instruments, and deliver meaningful, reproducible data for sustainable soil and environmental assessment.

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