Our laboratories in Victoria, and Gary, are equipped with Gieseler Plastometers. The FRICO plastometer in Victoria has been used for two decades in the analysis of single coals and sequential blends, complementing petrography in monitoring product and blend consistency, and verifying process variables.

Frico Plastometer vs Preiser Plastometer

The next-generation Preiser plastometer in Gary can measure to 180,000+ ddpm’s, which is vital for the accurate characterization of Ultra-Fluid Appalachian high-volatile coals, whose unique characteristics are caused by bitumen-soaked vitrinite (shown below), that are highly-fluorescent . 

Orange-coloured fluorescing Vitrinite, containing yellow Liptinites. Blue light excitation (BG12), emission filter K510.

Ultra-Fluid Appalachian high-volatile coal showing orange-coloured fluorescing Vitrinite. Blue excitation (BG12) emission filter K510.

Some three decades ago, it was demonstrated by Creaney, Pearson & Marconi (1980), that it is not the volume of liptinites, but the volume of fluorescing vitrinite that correlates with maximum fluidity measured in Wolgan coal, from near Lithgow, New South Wales, and a similar explanation is now demonstrated  for the fluidity variations of some German Creek Formation coals from Bowen Basin, Queensland.

Modelling “Target Fluidity” of Blends

The diagram below demonstrates that Gieseler fluidity can be modelled and act as a target against which fluidity of blends can be compared. This technique is made possible by the high-fluidity Plastometer. Highly fluid, high volatile coals are measured in dilution testing, and then mixed in proportions appropriate to their contribution in the blend.