Mineralogy, Coal and Petroleum

Mineralogy

Study of minerals' formation, composition, and properties.

Miner

Basic units forming rocks and ores on Earth.

Rock Forming Minerals

Minerals that constitute the majority of rocks.

Sulfides

Compounds of metals combined with sulfur.

Oxides

Compounds of metals combined with oxygen.

Sulfates

Compounds of sulfur, oxygen, and metals.

Carbonates

Compounds of carbon and oxygen with metals.

Halides

Salts formed from metals and halogens.

Phosphates

Compounds of phosphorus with metals and oxygen.

Silicates

Compounds of silicon and oxygen, rock builders.

Igneous Rock

Formed from solidified magma or molten rock.

Quartz

Common silicate mineral, composed of silica.

Marble

Metamorphic rock, softer than quartzite.

Quartzite

Metamorphic rock, harder than marble.

Gypsum

Hydrated calcium sulfate, used in plaster.

Dolomite

Calcium magnesium carbonate, important rock maker.

Hematite

Iron oxide, primary ore of iron.

Galena

Lead sulfide, chief ore of lead.

Cinnabar

Mercury sulfide, ore of mercury.

Chalcopyrite

Copper iron sulfide, important copper ore.

Zinc Blende

Zinc sulfide, ore of zinc.

Wolframite

Important source of tungsten.

Vanadinite

Source of vanadium, a phosphate mineral.

Vein

Mineral deposit formed in rock cracks.

Geode

Hollow, crystal-lined mineral boulder.

Evaporation

Formation of deposits from evaporated water.

Weathering

Alteration of minerals by air and water.

Metamorphism

Transformation of rocks through heat and pressure.

Crystal

Symmetrical mass with angular geometric shapes.

Lattice

Basic atomic formation in crystal structure.

Isometric System

One of six major crystal systems.

Tetragonal System

One of six major crystal systems.

Hexagonal System

One of six major crystal systems.

Orthorhombic System

One of six major crystal systems.

Monoclinic System

One of six major crystal systems.

Triclinic System

One of six major crystal systems.

Color

Variable appearance due to impurities in minerals.

Streak

Color of mineral powder, more consistent than color.

Luster

Mineral's surface appearance in reflected light.

Hardness

Resistance to scratching, measured by Moh's scale.

Specific Gravity

Mineral density compared to water's density.

Cleavage

Tendency of minerals to break along planes.

Fracture

Irregular breakage of minerals without cleavage.

Tenacity

Mineral's resistance to deformation or breaking.

Form

Overall shape and configuration of a mineral.

Play of Colors

Development of prismatic colors in minerals.

Iridescence

Rainbow colors on mineral surfaces or interiors.

Cleavage

Mineral's tendency to break along smooth planes.

Fracture

Appearance of a mineral's broken surface.

Conchoidal Fracture

Curved surfaces with concentric rings.

Even Fracture

Smooth and flat broken surfaces.

Uneven Fracture

Irregular surface after breaking.

Splintery Structure

Rough breakage with splinter-like edges.

Sectile

Mineral that can be cut with a knife.

Malleable

Mineral can be flattened under pressure.

Elastic

Mineral regains shape after pressure release.

Quartz Group

Important silicate rock-forming mineral group.

Hardness of Quartz

Quartz has a hardness of 7.

Specific Gravity of Quartz

Specific gravity ranges from 2.65 to 2.66.

Amethyst

Purple or violet variety of quartz.

Smoky Quartz

Gray shades of quartz due to impurities.

Milky Quartz

Opaque light brown or white quartz.

Rose Quartz

Pink variety of quartz.

Feldspar Group

Common rock-forming minerals in igneous rocks.

Pyroxenes Group

Single chain silicate structure minerals.

Orthopyroxene

Type of pyroxene with specific atomic structure.

Hornblende

Complex silicate mineral in amphibole group.

Mica Group

Silicate minerals that form thin sheets.

Coal

Solid carbon-rich fossil fuel, brown or black.

Petroleum

Liquid fossil fuel formed from ancient marine organisms.

Peat

Accumulated dead plant matter, precursor to coal.

Coalification

Process transforming peat into coal under heat and pressure.

Fossil Fuels

Energy sources derived from ancient organic matter.

Density of Coal

Slightly denser than water, 1.0 mega gram/m³.

Porosity of Coal

Presence of pores affects coal's density and properties.

Macropores

Pores greater than 50 nanometers in diameter.

Mesopores

Pores between 2 to 50 nanometers in diameter.

Micropores

Pores less than 2 nanometers in diameter.

Reflectivity

Coal's ability to reflect light, measured with photometer.

Hardness

Resistance of coal to abrasion, affects mining equipment.

Grindability

Ease of grinding coal, impacts energy consumption.

Ash-Fusion Temperature

Temperature at which coal ash melts, affects furnace design.

Free-Swelling Index

Measures swelling of coal when heated, indicates coke suitability.

Lignite

Lowest rank coal, high volatile matter and moisture.

Subbituminous Coal

40% carbon, black, no woody structure visible.

Bituminous Coal

70% fixed carbon, soft coal, catches fire easily.

Anthracite

Highest rank coal, 90% fixed carbon, burns longer.

Coal Types

Classification based on carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen content.

Geological Processes

Natural forces that contribute to coal formation.

Vitrinite Macerals

Coal components used to measure reflectivity.

Petroleum

Naturally occurring liquid refined into fuels and products.

Crude Oil

Unrefined petroleum, varying in composition and properties.

Natural Gas

Colorless, odorless gas similar to crude oil.

Carbon and Hydrogen

Elements primarily found in petroleum compounds.

API Gravity

Measurement of crude oil density in degrees.

Sweet Crude

Gasoline-like smell associated with certain crude oils.

Sour Crude

Foul-smelling crude oil due to sulfur content.

Viscosity

Resistance of a fluid to flow, varies in oils.

Asphalt-based Crude

Black crude producing high-quality gasoline and asphalt.

Paraffin-based Crude

Greenish tinge crude yielding wax and lubricating oil.