IMAGE-ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES FOR PETROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

A system has been developed which is capable of performing major macer al group analysis, using image analysis, based on morphological featur es as well as grey scale shading. The main advantage of the system lie s in its ability to distinguish liptinite from resin. The potential pr oblems with the system have, in practice, proved to be minor and have not noticeably affected the results obtained. However, more noticeable problems may be encountered with fine coal particles. The method has been modified to measure ''reactive'' fractions of coal and a method u sing fluorescence is being developed for liptinite determination.