ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF EARTH SCIENCES THE GEOLOGY AND GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TERCHA COAL, SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA: INDICATION FOR ENERGY VALUE A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EARTH SCIENCES (RESOURCE GEOLOGY, PETROLEUM AND COAL GEOLOGY). TAKELE MENGISTIE MIHRETIE Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia May 2018 ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF EARTH SCIENCES THE GEOLOGY AND GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TERCHA COAL, SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA: INDICATION FOR ENERGY VALUE BY: TAKELE MENGISTIE MIHRETIE MAY 2018 ADVISOR: BALEMWAL ATNAFU (PhD) CO-ADVISOR: WORASH GETANEH (PhD) A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EARTH SCIENCES (RESOURCE GEOLOGY, PETROLEUM AND COAL GEOLOGY). May, 2018 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF EARTH SCIENCES A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EARTH SCIENCES (PETROLEUM AND COAL GEOLOGY). By: TAKELE MENGISTIE MIHRETIE College of Natural Sciences School of Earth Sciences Petroleum and Coal Geology stream Approved by board of Examiners Dr. Balemwal Atnafu _______________ _______________ (Chairman) signature Date Dr. Balemwal Atnafu _______________ _______________ (Advisor) signature Date Dr. Worash Getaneh _______________ _______________ (Co-advisor) signature Date Dr. Mulugeta Fessha _______________ _______________ (Examiner) signature Date Dr. Gilamichael Kidanemariam _______________ _______________ (Examiner) signature Date Declaration This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university and that all sources of material used for the thesis have been acknowledged duly. _________________________________ Takele Mengistie Mihretie College of Natural Sciences School of Earth Sciences Petroleum and Coal Geology stream Approved by; Dr. Balemwal Atenafu (Advisor) _____________________________ Dr. Worash Getaneh (Co-advisor) _____________________________ Abstract Energy is critical input for different purposes. Present study deals with characterizing the energy of Tercha coal and its use. In countries, like Ethiopia, which imports almost all of their energy source, hydrocarbon, further analysis of known deposits and investigation of new area, like this, should forward in detail to decrease exchange rates, expand energy related accessibilities, factories, agricultural sector and others. The coal, in which this research conducted, is found in Southwestern Ethiopia, Dawro Zone, Tercha town approximately 550 Km distant from Addis Ababa. The geology of the area comprises two rock groups of Oligocene age; Igneous (trachyte, welded ignimbrite and volcanic glass units) and Sedimentary (mudstone, shale and coal units) rocks. NW and SE part of the study area is covered by volcanic rock while the sedimentary units are exposed along NE and SW part. The units are formed in two different swamps or lagoons. Different stratigraphic sections recorded in SW part of the study area are correlated litho- stratigraphically. The main objective of this research is characterization of the physical and chemical properties of the coal in the perspective of its energy value for different economic scopes. The methods involved to achieve the objectives are desk studies about the area, fieldwork for mapping and sampling, laboratory analysis (Proximate, Ultimate, CV and TOC). Four stratigraphic sections and Geological map (1:10,000) have been developed. The coal thickness in S1 and S2 stratigraphic sections, are very thin and dominated by clastic materials. The integrated analysis results confirmed that the coal which is found NE of the study area, is higher than other studied coal, in its rank (High Volatile B bituminous coal), best energy (steel-grade I) and, vitrinite and liptinite in maceral type in addition to that of it has considerable thickness. The coal which is found south of the study area, is subbituminous – bituminous in rank and Washery Grade IV in its energy value. Seam 1 and seam 4 are lowest in grade, rank and its energy value. From all studied samples, in general, the coal found southern and NE part of the study area have better quality for different economic purposes like; steam, coking, power generation, fertilizer production, in cement industry and chemical production. Key Words: Tercha, Coal, Energy Value, Calorific Value III ACKNOWLEDGMENT Before and above all everything I am honored when I thank the almighty God, who helped me throughout my life. I thank my advisors Dr. Balemwal Atenafu and Dr. Worash Getaneh for their ensuing guidance, constructive inspect, constant inspiration, reviewing the thesis and providing useful comments throughout the research since the beginning. I am thankful to Addis Ababa University, Woldia University and Geological Survey of Ethiopia, for the assistance I have received during my studies and/or research of the Master’s Program. I am also greatly thankful to the Tercha town friendly people and Administration officers for their permission to do the fieldwork. I really appreciate and thanks Fantahun, who helped me during fieldwork, for his kind support throughout my stay in Tercha. I thank all my friends (Getnet Gezahegn, Bahru Zinaye, Samuel Getachew, Abate Assen, Amdemichael Zafu, Ermias Filfilu, Million Alemayehu, Tadele Tessema, Tenaw Mengistie, Tadele Dagne, Biniyam Fentie and Teklu Bangu) for their day to day pursuit to accomplish the research. Deepest gratitude to my family, my mother (Kerebesh Tesfay), my father (Mengistie Mihretie), siblings (Fantanesh Mengistie, Nebret Mengistie, Eyerus Mengistie, Yigermal Mengistie, Fiker Mengistie and Meron Mengistie), uncle (elderly Getachew Tesfay), sisters (Mesetewal Bitew, Alemtsehay Bitew, Birtukan Bitew and Hana Tesfahun), and Kins (Gizachew Belay, Tsegay Tamir, Misganaw Birhanu, Melkamu Sheferaw, Tsegaye Sheferaw, Yenework Limeneh and Fekadu Molalign). Great thanks are also for all other family and friends who constantly encouraged, helped and sustained me for my success. Great respect for all. IV Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ I Acknowledgment ............................................................................................................................ II Table of Contents ...........................................................................................................................III List of Tables and Figures............................................................................................................. IV Acronym ..................................................................................................................................... VIII CHAPTER ONE ..............................................................................................................................1 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ..............................................................................................................................1 1.2 General Information about the Study Area ..............................................................................2 1.2.1 Location and Accessibility ................................................................................................2 1.2.2 Physiography and Drainage Patteren ................................................................................4 1.2.3 Climatic Condition and Vegetation Coverage ..................................................................5 1.2.4 Population and Settlement ................................................................................................6 1.3 Statement of the Problem, Expected Outcome and Research Relevance ................................7 1.4 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................................................8 1.4.1 General Objective .............................................................................................................8 1.4.2 Specific Objectives ...........................................................................................................8 CHAPTER TWO ...........................................................................................................................9 2. LITRATURE REVIEW AND REGIONAL GEOLOGY ...........................................................9 2.1 Litrature Review ......................................................................................................................9 2.1.1 Coalification ......................................................................................................................9 2.1.2 Coal Petrography ............................................................................................................10 2.1.2.1 Macerals Group ........................................................................................................11 2.1.3 Geochemical Variability, Classification and Utilization of Coal ...................................12