Composition and Cross-Cut Distribution of the Potential Chemical Conversion Products of Coal from the Sergeevskoe Deposit (Amur Region)

Abstract—The relationship between the cross-cut distribution of bitumen (raw crude mountain wax) and the nature of the organic matter of coal from the Sergeevskoe brown coal deposit was investigated. It was found that bitumen of terrestrial genesis was present in a maximum concentration (15%), whereas bitumen of aquagenic origin had a minimum concentration (4%). Humic acids (70%) were evenly distributed throughout the deposit. Four groups of compounds were identified in the composition of waxes, the main of which was an aliphatic ether fraction (about 60%). The individual composition of waxes, resins, and humic acids was studied by IR and NMR spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The extraction of not readily available mountain wax and humic substances was recommended as the most promising direction of using the chemical potential of the Sergeevskoe brown coal deposit.