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Aderisci subito!The mining and geological sectors demand precise, reliable analytical tools to support mineral exploration, ore grading, process optimization, and environmental compliance. From early resource evaluation through to advanced metallurgical and petrographic analysis, accurate material characterization is essential for informed operational and economic decisions.
Key applications include elemental analysis of C, S, O, N, and H for ore quality and environmental risk; thermal testing to assess moisture content, particle size and shape analysis to improve grinding and recovery; porosity and surface area measurement for reservoir assessment and leaching performance; and high-precision sample preparation for microstructural investigation.
Retsch offers high-quality milling, sieving, and sample preparation equipment, enabling accurate and reproducible analysis in mining workflows.
Carbolite: Carbolite designs precision furnaces for thermal analysis, ash fusibility, and ore reducibility testing, essential for mining and metallurgy.
ELTRA delivers robust elemental analyzers for determining carbon, sulphur, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen in ores, coal, and other geological materials.
Microtrac specializes in particle size and shape analysis, supporting process optimization and efficiency in mineral processing
QATM provides advanced materialography and hardness testing solutions to ensure reliable characterization of geological and mining samples.
These workflows rely on both standardized (ASTM, ISO, DIN) and customized laboratory methods tailored to mining and geology.
Together, these techniques form a comprehensive toolkit for geological and mining laboratories, enabling everything from ore grade control and acid-rock drainage prediction to detailed drill-core investigations and reservoir characterization.
Il nostro team di esperti e professionisti vi aiuterà a trovare la soluzione perfetta!
Elemental characterization of coal is fundamental in geology and mining for determining the chemical composition. Knowing the content of key elements such as carbon, hydrogen, sulphur , nitrogen, oxygen is crucial for resource valuation, and process control in extractive metallurgy.
The purpose is also to assess the fuel value and environmental impact of coal. Carbon and hydrogen directly influence the calorific value (energy content); sulphur contributes to SO₂ emissions on combustion and must be controlled. These parameters inform whether a coal meets specifications for power generation or steelmaking, and they help in resource grading and mine planning.
Instruments operate according to ASTM/ISO methods (e.g. ASTM D5373 and ISO 29541 for C, H, N in coal and ASTM D4239 / ISO 19579 for sulphur in coal). These standards ensure that the analyzers provide accurate, repeatable results in line with industry norms. For example, Eltra’s high-temperature CS-r analyzer yields sulphur results compliant with ISO 19579:2006 (Solid mineral fuels – Determination of sulphur by IR spectrometry) and ASTM D4239 (Standard Test Method for sulphur in Coal and Coke).
Also moisture content in coal is quite important determination done by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), where the mass loss observed upon controlled heating corresponds to the evaporation of inherent and surface water, following standard methods such as ASTM D7582 or ISO 11722.
Ultimate analysis of coal is standardized in both ISO and ASTM methods, sometimes referred to as “elemental analysis” or part of a coal’s “ultimate” properties. ASTM D5373 and ISO 29541 cover C, H, N by instrumental combustion; ASTM D4239 and ISO 19579 cover sulphur by high-temperature combustion/IR detection. Industry literature emphasizes the importance of these measurements for coal grading.
For instance, hydrogen content contributes to water formation during combustion, reducing usable heat, so it’s directly tied to coal’s effective calorific value. Measuring these elements precisely with analyzers like Eltra’s ensures that mining operations and coal buyers have reliable data on fuel quality.
Many metal ores (e.g. copper, lead, zinc ores) contain sulphur as part of sulfide minerals (like pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena). Determining total sulphur in geological samples or concentrates is used both for grade estimation (since sulphur often correlates with metal content in sulfide ores) and for environmental assessment (predicting acid rock drainage from sulfide oxidation).
For example, in copper mining, measuring sulphur in the ore can indirectly indicate copper grade because major copper minerals are copper-iron-sulfides – higher sulphur suggests more sulfide mineral content and thus potentially more copper.
In exploration or processing, sulphur assays help estimate how much metal sulfide is present. Eltra notes that in copper ore used for concentrating production, one can indirectly determine copper content by measuring sulphur content. This is because a mineral like chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) has a fixed Cu:S ratio; thus, sulphur analysis provides a quick proxy for copper.
Sulfide-rich waste rock or tailings can generate acid mine drainage when sulphur oxidizes to sulfuric acid. Total sulphur measurement (especially if speciation into pyritic sulphur is done) is used to calculate the potential acidity of rocks (e.g. acid-base accounting tests). High sulphur flags materials that may need remediation or special handling to prevent acid drainage.
Sulphurin ores is typically measured by combustion-infrared analysis using a carbon/sulphur analyzer. The CS-series use induction furnaces capable of >2000 °C to combust geological samples (pulverized ore, concentrates, etc.) in an oxygen stream. Sulphur is oxidized to SO₂, which is quantified by IR detectors. The CS-i’s high furnace temperature ensures even stable sulfide minerals are fully oxidized. Large sample weights (e.g. 200–300 mg) can be used to improve representativity. The technique follows methods analogous to coal sulphur tests (ASTM D4239, ISO 19579) but applied to ore matrices – for instance, ISO 14869-1 (for soil/ore total sulfur via combustion) or methods within ASTM E1915 (a standard for analysis of metal-bearing ores) support IR combustion techniques. Results are often reported as %S, and when interpreting for grade, geochemists convert this to approximate % mineral or metal using known stoichiometries.
Regulators and researchers also rely on total sulphur measurements to compute the acid-producing potential of mine materials, often in conjunction with ABA (acid-base accounting) tests in environmental standards.
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in mining geology is often applied to proximate analysis of coal and coke – determining moisture content, volatile matter, and ash yield – as well as to similar measurements in other minerals (e.g. determining loss on ignition in ores or sediments).
In a TGA-based proximate analysis, a sample is heated in a controlled program and weight changes are recorded to sequentially measure: moisture (mass loss at ~105 °C), volatiles (mass loss on heating to e.g. 900 °C in inert conditions), and ash (residue remaining after combustion in air at ~750–815 °C).
The purpose of proximate analysis is to quickly characterize fuel properties of coal:
In geology, similar weight-loss methods (often termed Loss on Ignition, LOI) are used to measure organic matter in soils or carbonates in rocks by seeing how much mass is lost on high-temperature ignition. For instance, LOI at 550 °C can estimate organic content in sediments, and LOI at 950 °C can quantify carbonate content by releasing CO₂.
TGA can automate these determinations.
TGA methods follow ASTM D7582 / ISO 11722 which allow automated thermogravimetric determination of these parameters. Thermostep is noted to measure moisture, ash, volatiles in coal, coke, or ore fully automatically. This approach is standard-compliant and yields results equivalent to other traditional methods, but with higher throughput.
The importance of these measurements is codified in international standards.
ISO 17246
defines coal proximate analysis parameters and ISO 11722 / ASTM D7582 provide the method for TGA. By automating LOI-type analyses, even geological materials like laterite or bauxite (to measure combined water) or limestone (to measure CO₂ loss) can be analyzed with precision.
LOI is a simple but informative test: it quantifies the total volatile or combustible portion of a sample. In mining:
Overall, LOI helps in material characterization, quality control, and suitability assessment for various industrial processes. For instance, an iron ore’s LOI (due to goethite dehydration) can influence its sintering behavior; a coal’s ash LOI indicates how much residue a boiler will have to deal with.
Loss on ignition refers to the measurement of weight loss when a sample is heated to a specified high temperature, causing volatile components to burn off or decompose. In geology and mining, LOI tests are used for:
Standard Methods for LOI
There are numerous standards methods for LOI depending on material:
Carbolite furnaces can cover all different needing.
Coal ash fusibility tests determine the temperatures at which coal ash transforms, mining labs and coal quality laboratories routinely measure ash fusibility to predict how a coal’s ash will behave in boilers or gasifiers. The test produces characteristic temperatures: IDT (Initial Deformation Temp), ST (Softening or Shrinking Temp), HT (Hemispherical Temp), and FT (Fluid or Flow Temp) .
The purpose of the test is to ensure operational safety and efficiency in coal utilization. Different coal produces ashes that melt at different temperatures depending on their mineral composition (high iron or alkali content lowers ash melting point, for example). Power plants often specify that the ash fusibility temperatures must exceed the furnace operating temperature to avoid slagging.
The ash fusibility test involves preparing a pellet or cone of coal ash (per a standard procedure, coal is ashed at a set temperature, then the ash is molded into a cone). This cone is then heated in a specialized furnace with observation. The Carbolite CAF G5 ash fusibility furnace is an example designed for this test. Key aspects:
By using a furnace like Carbolite’s, mining labs can deliver precise ash fusion temperature data. The inclusion of automatic image recording in the CAF G5 is a notable advancement – it prevents human error in missing an endpoint and provides a record for quality assurance. Additionally, the furnace can test biomass or waste-derived fuel ashes (with some modifications), indicating its flexibility beyond coal.
Reducibility of iron ore is a measure of how easily an iron ore can be reduced (oxygen removed) to metallic iron, under conditions resembling a blast furnace. The standard test (ISO 4695:2015) involves reacting iron ore pellets or sinter with reducing gas at high temperature and measuring the rate and extent of weight loss (as oxygen is stripped away). The result is typically expressed as a Reduction Index (% reduction at a certain time) or as a rate.
Mining and metallurgical labs perform this test to evaluate different iron ore sources for blast furnace performance – ores that reduce readily will require less fuel and lead to higher efficiency.
This test is crucial for blast furnace feedstock evaluation.
A highly reducible ore will contribute to lower coke consumption in the blast furnace and potentially higher productivity.
If an ore has poor reducibility, it may not be fully reduced in the shaft, leading to lower metallization or more energy needed in the hearth, or it may affect the furnace permeability (because reduction causes expansion or disintegration which can be problematic).
When developing beneficiation processes or comparing lump ore vs. pellets, reducibility is one metric for quality. Pellet manufacturers also track reducibility as quality control, since additives or firing conditions can change it.
The Carbolite Gero IOR (Iron Ore Reducibility) furnace is designed for this test, accommodating the sample basket and providing a controlled gas environment and temperature profile. It likely includes a built-in balance to automatically record weight change, similar to TGA but on a larger scale.
The IOR furnace can be equipped to run tests in parallel or sequence through automated control of gas and temperature.
Test procedure:
By performing the standard reducibility test, mining labs can provide valuable information to downstream users (steel mills). A higher reducibility index is generally favorable: it can be a selling point for an ore product.
On the other hand, extremely fast reduction can cause other issues (ore breaking apart too quickly, etc.), so the full picture involves multiple tests. Nonetheless, reducibility is a key metric, and Carbolite’s equipment ensures it’s measured under standardized conditions for comparability.
The data from such tests help in geometallurgical modeling of how an ore will perform in a furnace, bridging the gap between geological characteristics and industrial performance.
In mining, precise control of particle size is critical for maximizing mineral recovery in downstream processes like flotation or leaching. Laser diffraction analyzers provide real-time feedback on grind size (e.g., D80 or % passing 75 µm), enabling operators to adjust mill parameters promptly. Unlike traditional sieving, laser diffraction is faster, automated, and follows ISO 13320 standards, ensuring reliable data.
This method is widely applied in grind circuit control, where maintaining particles within an optimal range (typically 10–100 µm for copper sulfide flotation) enhances liberation and flotation efficiency. If particles are too coarse (>150 µm), minerals remain locked in gangue; too fine (<5 µm), they may reduce recovery or increase reagent consumption.
Case studies show installing online particle size systems improves process stability and recovery—often by 1–2%. Academic research supports this, linking grind size to recovery curves and geometallurgical models. ASTM B822, providing trustworthy measurements.
There is also another example about SYNC and the combination of laser diffraction and dynamic image analysis, to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint in magnetite and iron ore beneficiation. The key goal is optimizing particle size and magnetic conditioning to enhance downstream processes like flotation. By analyzing particle size and shape from the same sample, the system avoids sampling errors and ensures accurate data.
QATM’s precision preparation equipment is essential for advancing material studies in the fields of geology and mining. From mineralogical assessments to specialized planetary research, QATM offers the tools and techniques to deliver reliable, high-quality sample preparation for a broad range of geoscientific applications.
Applications in Mining and Mineral Analysis
Beyond Mining: Supporting Broader Geoscience Research
In geochemistry, mining, and environmental science, precise chemical analysis starts with effective sample preparation. Crushing and pulverizing geological samples like rock, ore, soil, or sediment into fine, homogeneous powders is essential to ensure analytical accuracy and representativeness.
Retsch offers a complete portfolio of instruments tailored for each step of the comminution workflow—from initial coarse crushing to ultra-fine grinding. With proven reliability, contamination-free options, and compliance with international standards, Retsch equipment ensures your results are both accurate and reproducible.
Retsch systems support compliance with methods such as ISO 3082:2017 for iron ore, which requires full pulverization to 100% passing 160 µm. This ensures that even a 0.5 g subsample accurately represents tons of heterogeneous geological material.
Retsch provides the precision, efficiency, and quality your lab can trust. From routine sample prep to critical trace element analysis, Retsch makes your work easier, faster, and more reliable. Here a table to summarize different needing:
| Technique & equipment | Function | Input Size | Output size | Notes | |||||
| 1 | Retsch Jaw Crushers(BB Series) |
Coarse crushing rock or coal samples |
Large pieces up to 150 mm |
Gravel (~2mm or even finer, adjustable) |
Hardened steel, NiHard 4 or tungsten carbide jaws; cyclone systems available, aslo combination units with DM 200 from small table top version to 3.5 t/h sample throughput |
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| 2 | Retsch Disc Mills/ (RS 200 / RS 300; DM 200) |
Intermediate to fine grinding |
up to 20 mm | ~20 µm | High-energy,quick pulverization; ideal for XRF sample prep; uses grinding discs/ring and puck up to 2000 ml sample per batch |
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| 3 | Retsch Planetary Ball Mills (PM series) |
Ultra-fine grinding, sub-micron particles possible |
up to 10 mm | <50 µm, even s< 100 nm with wet milling |
Uniform powder; uses prolonged milling; wet milling possible for 8-220 ml sample depending on used jar size |
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| 4 | Retsch Mixer Mills (MM series) |
Quick pulverizing of small samples monts from 1-42 ml |
up to 10 mm | <5 µm, even < 100 nm with wet grinding | Horizontal shaking with ball in jar; ideal for small sample amounts up to 42 ml quick pulverisation or wet grinding down to 100 nm possible |
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| 5 | Non-metal grinding sets (agate/alumina ceramic) |
Avoid contamination for trace element analysis |
Variable | Depends on mill used |
Used when metal contamination is critical |
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Preparing polished mounts (also known as polished blocks) is a critical step in the analysis of rock, ore, and coal specimens. These mounts enable high-precision observations under reflected light microscopy and are indispensable in various electron beam analyses such as SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and electron microprobe work. Unlike thin sections—which are translucent slices mounted on glass—polished blocks are thicker briquettes or pieces of material featuring a flat, mirror-like surface. They are especially suitable for studying opaque mineral phases that are otherwise invisible in transmitted light.
Many ore minerals, including pyrite, chalcopyrite, and galena, are opaque. These must be examined in reflected light using a polished surface to reveal key features such as mineralogy, grain boundaries, exsolution textures, and microfractures.
Systems like QEMSCAN or MLA use SEM/EDS to scan polished surfaces for mapping mineral compositions. These are widely used in mining operations to evaluate mineral liberation and associations, crucial for optimizing processing techniques.
A polished, smooth surface ensures accurate X-ray detection during microprobe analyses. This is essential for studying zonation, identifying tiny mineral inclusions, and determining detailed chemical compositions.
In coal studies, polished pellets are used to measure the reflectance of vitrinite macerals—an essential parameter for classifying coal rank and assessing suitability for coke production.
For analyzing fluid inclusions, doubly-polished thick sections (polished on both sides) are required. High-quality polishing is crucial to clearly observe tiny inclusions, especially in quartz and ore minerals.
General Metallography: ASTM E3 outlines standard practices for metallographic sample preparation. Coal Analysis: ISO 7404-2 and ASTM D2797 specify preparation methods for coal pellets, including the use of aluminum oxide for final polishing to prevent alteration of reflectance measurements.
Polished mounts are indispensable tools in both academic and industrial geoscience. They bridge the gap between observational and analytical methods, offering a reliable platform for both qualitative and quantitative analysis.
For instance, in mining:
Understanding coal weathering and oxidation is essential for accurate petrographic analysis and vitrinite reflectance measurement. As highlighted in recent studies, surface alterations during oxidation can significantly affect coal classification and usage potential. QATM's advanced sample preparation solutions—ranging from precision cutting to automated polishing—ensure optimal surface quality for reliable analysis under reflected light microscopy. Whether you're studying natural weathering or simulating oxidation in the lab, QATM systems provide the consistency and control needed for reproducible results. Trust QATM to support your research in coal behavior and carbon material integrity.
From precious metal quantification to structural, mechanical, and surface analyses, advanced laboratory methods provide geoscientists and mining engineers with reliable insights into ore quality and process performance. By combining classical techniques with modern instrumentation, these approaches ensure accurate evaluation, optimized extraction, and sustainable resource management across the mining value chain.
Cupellation is the classical and most accurate method for determining precious metals, especially gold and silver, in ores, concentrates, and metallurgical products. In mining geology, fire assay is routinely used to measure gold (and platinum group metals) in rock or soil samples to evaluate ore grades. It is also used in the refining and jewelry industries for hallmarking. The method involves melting the sample with fluxes and lead (or other collectors) to separate precious metals, then oxidizing the lead to absorb base metals in a porous cupel, leaving behind a precious metal bead which is weighed or analyzed.
Cupellation is considered the benchmark method for gold analysis because of its accuracy and ability to concentrate trace amounts of noble metals. In exploration, knowing the gold content of drill cores or rock chips guides investment and mining decisions. Even in modern labs with spectrometers, fire assay remains indispensable for:
Carbolite Gero manufactures cupellation furnaces (CF series) specifically designed with this key feature:
Nitrogen gas adsorption at cryogenic temperatures (77 K) remains a cornerstone technique in geoscience and materials research for determining the specific surface area and microporosity of minerals, ores, and derived materials. Using the Microtrac BELSORP series, researchers and laboratories can gain detailed insight into nanoscale porosity and surface characteristics—crucial for interpreting mineral behavior, adsorption capacity, and processing efficiency.
This method is widely applied across various geological materials such as clays, zeolites, activated carbons, bauxites, shales, and iron ore sinters. It is equally relevant in cutting-edge fields like planetary geology, where mineral porosity offers clues to the formation and alteration of extraterrestrial bodies.
Many geological materials, including coals, shales, and zeolites, contain a significant fraction of pores smaller than 2 nanometers. Nitrogen at 77 K can access most of these micropores, while CO₂ at 273 K is often employed to explore ultramicropores (<1 nm) due to nitrogen’s kinetic limitations. However, nitrogen-based BET analysis remains a robust method to determine the overall surface area, capturing contributions from both external surfaces and accessible internal pores (mesopores and select micropores).
Samples are first outgassed to remove moisture and volatile contaminants.
Nitrogen is adsorbed at controlled relative pressures (P/P₀) while the instrument records the adsorption isotherm at 77 K.
Microtrac systems support data evaluation according to international guidelines, ensuring accuracy, reproducibility, and comparability:
ISO 9277:2010/2022 – Defines BET surface area measurements and validation criteria (linearity, C constant, etc.)
ISO 15901-2:2022 – Covers mesopore analysis and pore size distribution via methods such as NLDFT
ASTM D3663 – Standard practice for BET surface area analysis of catalysts, showing cross-industry relevance
Nitrogen physisorption using Microtrac analyzers delivers critical insights into surface area and porosity that cannot be obtained through bulk chemistry or microscopy alone. Whether studying mineral adsorptive capacity, coal rank, or extraterrestrial material, BET analysis offers a standardized, precise view into the nano-scale structure of geological samples—backed by the quality and reliability of Microtrac technology.
Stabilizing and reinforcing porous, fissile, or particulate geological samples by impregnating them with resin under vacuum before cutting or polishing. Many geological materials – e.g., highly porous sandstones, loosely consolidated soils, coal, or mineral concentrates – can crumble or lose pieces during preparation. Vacuum impregnation fills the pores and cracks with epoxy, providing mechanical support and preventing the loss of material (or bubble formation) when sectioning and polishing.
Why it is performed:
The creation of standard thin sections—rock or mineral slices approximately 30 µm thick mounted on glass slides—is essential for examination under transmitted light or polarizing microscopes. As a cornerstone technique in geology, thin sections reveal the mineral composition, microstructures, and textures of rocks in fine detail. QATM equipment supports every stage of this process: from precision cutting of the initial slice, through controlled grinding to achieve uniform thickness, to optional polishing on one or both sides for enhanced optical clarity.
Why Thins Section?
QATM provides specific tools: a thin section saw (or a universal cutter that can thin), a thin section press (to ensure bubble-free contact of rock to slide), and a line of grinding discs (diamond cups) and polishing cloths.
Micro-indentation hardness testing—using techniques such as Vickers or Knoop under low loads—is a powerful method for evaluating the hardness of individual mineral grains and phases in geological specimens. While commonly used in metallurgy, this technique is equally valuable in the geosciences. QATM microhardness testers, originally developed under the Qness brand, offer precise, reliable measurement solutions that extend beyond metals to polished rock, ore, coal, and planetary samples.
Why our equipment?
Even fine distinctions—such as different hardness values in polymorphs or across compositional zones—can be captured with QATM instruments, supporting both research and industrial applications.
In the mining and minerals industry, understanding how hard an ore is to grind is essential for designing energy-efficient and cost-effective comminution circuits. The Bond Work Index (BWI) test is the globally recognized method for determining the energy required to grind an ore to a specific particle size. Whether you are designing a new processing plant or optimizing an existing one, knowing the grindability of your material is a critical first step.
Retsch offers an efficient and user-friendly solution for Bond testing with its Drum Mill TM 300 which can be used as Bond Index Tester. This machine is adapted to meet the specific requirements of this standardized procedure.
Why Perform Bond Work Index Testing?
Traditionally, Bond Work Index tests were time-consuming and labor-intensive. Retsch simplifies this process by offering:
This level of automation and precision reduces operator workload, increases consistency, and improves turnaround time for grindability assessments—without sacrificing the accuracy required by the Bond method.
For mining professionals, metallurgists, and process engineers, determining the Bond Work Index is essential for proper equipment sizing, energy estimation, and process optimization. With Retsch’s specialized and efficient Bond testing equipment, you gain reliable data faster, with less manual effort, and full confidence in your results. Whether you're designing a greenfield plant or fine-tuning an existing circuit, Retsch delivers the grindability testing solution you can trust.
A metallurgical assay is the standard method for determining the content of precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, iridium, and rhodium. Cupellation (fire assay) is widely recognized for its unmatched accuracy, capable of detecting even trace concentrations down to 1 ppb. Although destructive, it remains the most reliable approach for ore valuation and quality control in refineries and mining companies. High-quality sample homogenization is crucial at the start of the process, particularly for coal, coke, and hard, brittle ores.
Jaw Crusher BB 500 XL: handles large input pieces (up to ~110 mm) and reduces them rapidly to manageable sizes.
Vibratory Disc Mill RS 300 XL: achieves fine pulverization to below 100 µm with proven reproducibility.
Together, these instruments ensure homogeneous, representative samples essential for accurate and reproducible fire assay results.
Environmental and geotechnical studies in mining rely on advanced analytical techniques to characterize soils, sediments, and rock formations. From organic carbon assessment to porosity and particle-size evaluation, these methods provide critical insights into resource potential, contaminant behaviour, and reservoir properties, supporting both sustainable exploration and responsible environmental management.
Determining Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in soils, sediments, or rock samples is an important analysis in both environmental geology and hydrocarbon exploration. In mining contexts, one might assess the organic carbon in overburden or tailings for environmental reasons, or in shale formations to evaluate source rock richness (for petroleum) or to correct assays (e.g. distinguishing carbonate carbon vs. organic carbon in assays for carbon). TOC is essentially the amount of carbon bound in organic matter, as opposed to inorganic carbon (carbonates).
The presence of organic carbon in geological materials influences soil fertility, geochemical behavior of elements, and in mining waste can affect acid generation or metal adsorption. For example, a coal mine spoil or soil might need TOC analysis to gauge how much organic material is present.
In oil/gas exploration, TOC of a shale (measured in wt%) indicates how much organic matter is available to generate hydrocarbons. In mining geology labs, TOC measurements can help in carbon balance calculations – distinguishing carbon from carbonate minerals (like calcite) versus carbon from organic compounds (like kerogen or bitumen).
The sample is analyzed for total carbon by combustion and inorganic carbon (carbonate) is determine after treating another aliquot with acid (to release CO₂). This CO2 is collected and determine with IR detector. One of the standard methods used for this determination is the ISO 10694:2021.
CS-d from Eltra can handle both organic and inorganic matrices. Typically, one portion of the sample is combusted directly to give total carbon.
Knowing TOC is critical: for instance, a high TOC in shale (>2% wt) is indicative of good petroleum source rock potential, whereas in mining waste, TOC can consume oxidants and reduce the rate of acid generation. By using Eltra’s elemental analyzers, geologists obtain both total and organic carbon easily, with results comparable to classical wet chemistry (Walkley-Black dichromate) or LOI methods, but with greater accuracy and the benefit of direct traceability to carbon weight (with calibration against certified reference materials). The approach is robust and is used in studies ranging from soil carbon sequestration to evaluating ore leaching behavior (organic matter can bind metals).
High-pressure gas adsorption isotherm measurements on coal or shale samples to determine how much gas (methane or carbon dioxide, typically) these rocks can adsorb. This application underpins assessments of coalbed methane (CBM) resources, shale gas capacity, and the viability of CO₂ sequestration in coal seams or shale formations (often coupled with Enhanced Gas Recovery concepts).
Understanding how gases interact with coal and shale is critical for energy exploration and carbon management. High-pressure adsorption studies reveal how much gas can be stored, recovered, or sequestered under real reservoir conditions
Key Applications:
Microtrac’s BELSORP high-pressure systems deliver precise adsorption isotherms up to several MPa, replicating reservoir conditions (0–5 MPa for methane). These instruments support international standards (ISO 18866 in development, ISO 15901-2:2022) and national norms such as China’s GB/T for coal methane sorption. By quantifying parameters like Langmuir volume and pressure, the technique underpins reserve estimation, CO₂-enhanced coalbed methane recovery, and greenhouse gas sequestration strategies. With standard, reliable data, geoscientists can design and optimize reservoir operations—making high-pressure adsorption analysis fundamental for both energy resource development and environmental management.
Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP)is used to characterize the pore volume and pore size distribution of rocks, ores, and other solid materials by forcing mercury into the pores under pressure.
Porosity is a key property: it’s the storage capacity for fluids in rocks and the determinant of how fluids move (permeability is related to pore throat sizes). While overall porosity can be measured by simpler means (like saturation or helium pycnometry), MIP uniquely provides a pore size distribution (PSD) over a wide range. This is valuable for Reservoir quality evaluation. Given porosity, a sample with predominantly large pores will generally have higher permeability than one where porosity is in micropores. Mercury intrusion gives an idea of effective pore throat sizes controlling flow. Rock typing: Two sandstones might both have 20% porosity, but if one has it mostly in 10 µm pores and the other in 0.1 µm pores, their behavior differs. MIP can differentiate such cases, helping geologists classify reservoir rock types.
In mining and mineral processing, knowledge of pore sizes can influence how one grinds or processes an ore. For example, if an ore’s valuable mineral is contained in matrix that has very small pores, leaching solution might not penetrate well – you’d need to crush finer or pretreat. MIP could quantify those pore entry sizes to inform such decisions.
To sum up, mercury intrusion porosimetry provides geologists and mining engineers with a window into the pore architecture of rocks and materials, quantifying total connected porosity and the size distribution of those connections from a few nanometers up to visible voids. This information is essential for predicting how fluids interact with the material – whether that be oil migrating through a sandstone, or acid leach solution percolating through crushed ore, or simply water entering a building stone and causing weathering.
This application is used for sedimentology studies (e.g., analyzing river, marine, or aeolian sediments), soil science and environmental geology (e.g., understanding contaminants depends on sediment grain sizes).
Grain size distribution reveals information about the depositional environment and material properties in fact can help in interpretating energy conditions of deposition. It is also used in stratigraphy and paleoclimate studies as particle size can indicate wind strength in past climate. In geotechnical engineering soil particle size affects permeability, compaction, and strength. Furthermore regulatory frameworks sometimes require soil particle size analysis for land reclamation or erosion risk assessment.
Traditionally, sieve methods as provided by Retsch are also used, but laser diffraction offers a much faster and detailed measurement across the full range. This has led to many labs adopting laser particle sizers for routine analysis of sediment cores, soil.
Laser diffraction from Microtrac offers fast, high-resolution particle size analysis with minimal sample needs. It detects fine particles better than sieves/pipettes and follows ISO 13320 and ASTM B822 standards for accuracy. Studies show good agreement with traditional methods when dispersion is adequate. Its automation, reproducibility, and ability to analyze small or rare samples make it ideal for modern sedimentology and geology labs and geological agencies (like USGS - United States Geological Survey).
Sieve analysis is one of the most established and widely used methods to determine the particle size distribution of soils, sands, aggregates, and other granular materials. By passing a sample through a stack of woven wire sieves with decreasing mesh sizes, laboratories can quickly quantify the proportion of coarse and fine fractions. This method remains fundamental in geology, construction, mining, and geotechnical engineering—where understanding grain size directly affects material classification, strength, compaction, and performance.
Range of analysis: Typically from a few micrometers up to several millimeters, covering gravel, sand, and finer soil fractions down to about 75 µm.
Applications: Used in soil classification, aggregate quality control, monitoring milling efficiency, and sediment characterization.
Methodology: Involves drying the sample, weighing, and sequentially sieving through certified test sieves, followed by calculating weight percentages retained.
Complementary techniques: For particles finer than 75 µm, sieve analysis is combined with hydrometer testing or modern laser diffraction methods.
ASTM C136 – Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates: Specifies sample preparation, sieving procedure, and reporting for construction materials.
ASTM D6913 / D6913M-17 – Particle-Size Distribution of Soils by Sieve: Widely used in geotechnical engineering to classify soils by grain size.
ASTM E11 – Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves: Defines the quality and tolerances of sieves used in laboratory testing.
Retsch sieve shakers and certified test sieves are designed to fully comply with these international standards, ensuring reproducibility, reliability, and traceability in particle size distribution testing.
Sieve analysis plays a critical role across disciplines:
Soil classification (geotechnical engineering): Determines the proportions of gravel, sand, silt, and clay. This data is essential for foundation design, slope stability, and groundwater studies.
Aggregate quality control (construction): Concrete and road-building aggregates must meet strict gradation envelopes for compaction, durability, and strength. Sieve analysis confirms compliance with these specifications.
Mining & milling operations: Even with advanced laser particle size analyzers, sieves are still used to check coarser fractions or quickly assess grinding efficiency (e.g., % passing 200 mesh).
Sedimentology (geology): Field geologists often use sieving to classify sands and sediments on-site, where rapid particle size information supports stratigraphic or environmental studies.
Sieve analysis remains a trusted, standard-compliant method for characterizing particle size distributions in soils, aggregates, and sediments. With Retsch’s precision-engineered sieve shakers and ASTM-certified sieves, laboratories and field geologists can rely on robust, reproducible results. Whether ensuring construction material quality, monitoring mining operations, or classifying geological samples, sieve analysis continues to bridge tradition and modern standards in particle size evaluation.
Soil analysis is essential in agriculture and environmental management, providing insights into soil health, fertility, and contamination. The two main goals are:
Nutrient Management: Determining levels of key nutrients (N, P, K, Mg) to optimize fertilizer use and crop yields.
Contaminant Monitoring: Testing for micronutrients and heavy metals (e.g., boron, manganese, cadmium, lead) to ensure soil safety and prevent food chain contamination.
A central challenge in soil analytics is the presence of stones and agglomerates in samples. Stones can distort analytical results, dilute measurements, and damage laboratory equipment. Therefore, separating stones from soil before homogenization is crucial for reliable, reproducible results.
The Retsch Sieve Shaker AS 200 control is highlighted as the fastest and easiest solution for separating stones from soil samples. The AS 200 control, especially when combined with the Jaw Crusher BB 50 for pre-crushing larger agglomerates, offers an unparalleled solution. It saves time, protects equipment, and ensures the most accurate analytical results for soil samples. Depending on sample size and composition, the process can be completed in about two hours for up to nine samples in one batch.
The combination of the Jaw Crusher BB 50 and the Vibratory Sieve Shaker AS 200 control revolutionizes soil sample preparation. The AS 200 control is crucial for efficient, reproducible, and accurate separation of stones from soil, directly impacting the quality and reliability of soil analytics
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