Optical Properties of Supercritical Toluene Extraction Residues Obtained from Turkish Coals

Abstract
Two Turkish coals of subbituminous C and high-volatile bituminous rank were subjected to supercritical toluene extraction at 400°C and 100 aim. The solid residues were examined microscopically in order to gain useful insight into the mechanisms involved in supercritical toluene extraction. The disappearance of liptinite macerals is a feature of the optical texture of both coals subjected to the extraction process. Residues of the two coals produced high-reflecting vitroplast. The amount of inertinite macerals in the residues increased and showed higher reflectance. No other alterations were observed for the inertinite macerals in the extraction residues.