Geophysical Log Responses and Predictive Modeling of Coal Quality in the Shanxi Formation, Northern Jiangsu, China
Traditional coal quality assessment methods rely exclusively on the laboratory testing of physical samples, which impedes detailed stratigraphic evaluation and limits the integration of intelligent precision mining technologies. To resolve this challenge, this study investigates geophysical logging...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Xuejuan Song Meng Wu Nong Zhang Yong Qin Yang Yu Yaqun Ren Hao Ma |
| author_facet | Xuejuan Song Meng Wu Nong Zhang Yong Qin Yang Yu Yaqun Ren Hao Ma |
| author_sort | Xuejuan Song |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Traditional coal quality assessment methods rely exclusively on the laboratory testing of physical samples, which impedes detailed stratigraphic evaluation and limits the integration of intelligent precision mining technologies. To resolve this challenge, this study investigates geophysical logging as an innovative method for coal quality prediction. By integrating scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray analysis, and optical microscopy with interdisciplinary methodologies spanning mathematics, mineralogy, and applied geophysics, this research analyzes the coal quality and mineral composition of the Shanxi Formation coal seams in northern Jiangsu, China. A predictive model linking geophysical logging responses to coal quality parameters was established to delineate relationships between subsurface geophysical data and material properties. The results demonstrate that the Shanxi Formation coals are gas coal (a medium-metamorphic bituminous subclass) characterized by low sulfur content, low ash yield, low fixed carbon, high volatile matter, and high calorific value. Mineralogical analysis identifies calcite, pyrite, and clay minerals as the dominant constituents. Pyrite occurs in diverse microscopic forms, including euhedral and semi-euhedral fine grains, fissure-filling aggregates, irregular blocky structures, framboidal clusters, and disseminated particles. Systematic relationships were observed between logging parameters and coal quality: moisture, ash content, and volatile matter exhibit an initial decrease, followed by an increase with rising apparent resistivity (LLD) and bulk density (DEN). Conversely, fixed carbon and calorific value display an inverse trend, peaking at intermediate LLD/DEN values before declining. Total sulfur increases with density up to a threshold before decreasing, while showing a concave upward relationship with resistivity. Negative correlations exist between moisture, fixed carbon, calorific value lateral resistivity (LLS), natural gamma (GR), short-spaced gamma-gamma (SSGG), and acoustic transit time (AC). In contrast, ash yield, volatile matter, and total sulfur correlate positively with these logging parameters. These trends are governed by coalification processes, lithotype composition, reservoir physical properties, and the types and mass fractions of minerals. Validation through independent two-sample <i>t</i>-tests confirms the feasibility of the neural network model for predicting coal quality parameters from geophysical logging data. The predictive model provides technical and theoretical support for advancing intelligent coal mining practices and optimizing efficiency in coal chemical industries, enabling real-time subsurface characterization to facilitate precision resource extraction. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-02eca76d54e34f1b8ea2b34cae817d43 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-02eca76d54e34f1b8ea2b34cae817d432025-08-20T03:16:52ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011513733810.3390/app15137338Geophysical Log Responses and Predictive Modeling of Coal Quality in the Shanxi Formation, Northern Jiangsu, ChinaXuejuan Song0Meng Wu1Nong Zhang2Yong Qin3Yang Yu4Yaqun Ren5Hao Ma6School of Civil Engineering, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou 221018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, China University of Mining and Technology, Ministry of Education, Xuzhou 221008, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou 221018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, China University of Mining and Technology, Ministry of Education, Xuzhou 221008, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou 221018, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou 221018, ChinaBGRIMM Technology Group, Beijing 100070, ChinaTraditional coal quality assessment methods rely exclusively on the laboratory testing of physical samples, which impedes detailed stratigraphic evaluation and limits the integration of intelligent precision mining technologies. To resolve this challenge, this study investigates geophysical logging as an innovative method for coal quality prediction. By integrating scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray analysis, and optical microscopy with interdisciplinary methodologies spanning mathematics, mineralogy, and applied geophysics, this research analyzes the coal quality and mineral composition of the Shanxi Formation coal seams in northern Jiangsu, China. A predictive model linking geophysical logging responses to coal quality parameters was established to delineate relationships between subsurface geophysical data and material properties. The results demonstrate that the Shanxi Formation coals are gas coal (a medium-metamorphic bituminous subclass) characterized by low sulfur content, low ash yield, low fixed carbon, high volatile matter, and high calorific value. Mineralogical analysis identifies calcite, pyrite, and clay minerals as the dominant constituents. Pyrite occurs in diverse microscopic forms, including euhedral and semi-euhedral fine grains, fissure-filling aggregates, irregular blocky structures, framboidal clusters, and disseminated particles. Systematic relationships were observed between logging parameters and coal quality: moisture, ash content, and volatile matter exhibit an initial decrease, followed by an increase with rising apparent resistivity (LLD) and bulk density (DEN). Conversely, fixed carbon and calorific value display an inverse trend, peaking at intermediate LLD/DEN values before declining. Total sulfur increases with density up to a threshold before decreasing, while showing a concave upward relationship with resistivity. Negative correlations exist between moisture, fixed carbon, calorific value lateral resistivity (LLS), natural gamma (GR), short-spaced gamma-gamma (SSGG), and acoustic transit time (AC). In contrast, ash yield, volatile matter, and total sulfur correlate positively with these logging parameters. These trends are governed by coalification processes, lithotype composition, reservoir physical properties, and the types and mass fractions of minerals. Validation through independent two-sample <i>t</i>-tests confirms the feasibility of the neural network model for predicting coal quality parameters from geophysical logging data. The predictive model provides technical and theoretical support for advancing intelligent coal mining practices and optimizing efficiency in coal chemical industries, enabling real-time subsurface characterization to facilitate precision resource extraction.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7338Northern Jiangsucoal qualitygeophysical loggingpredictive modelcalorific valueShanxi Formation |
| spellingShingle | Xuejuan Song Meng Wu Nong Zhang Yong Qin Yang Yu Yaqun Ren Hao Ma Geophysical Log Responses and Predictive Modeling of Coal Quality in the Shanxi Formation, Northern Jiangsu, China Applied Sciences Northern Jiangsu coal quality geophysical logging predictive model calorific value Shanxi Formation |
| title | Geophysical Log Responses and Predictive Modeling of Coal Quality in the Shanxi Formation, Northern Jiangsu, China |
| title_full | Geophysical Log Responses and Predictive Modeling of Coal Quality in the Shanxi Formation, Northern Jiangsu, China |
| title_fullStr | Geophysical Log Responses and Predictive Modeling of Coal Quality in the Shanxi Formation, Northern Jiangsu, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geophysical Log Responses and Predictive Modeling of Coal Quality in the Shanxi Formation, Northern Jiangsu, China |
| title_short | Geophysical Log Responses and Predictive Modeling of Coal Quality in the Shanxi Formation, Northern Jiangsu, China |
| title_sort | geophysical log responses and predictive modeling of coal quality in the shanxi formation northern jiangsu china |
| topic | Northern Jiangsu coal quality geophysical logging predictive model calorific value Shanxi Formation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7338 |
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