Image processing based characterisation of coal cleat networks

A unique image processing workflow method is introduced to extract the key statistical parameters of perpendicular butt and face cleats present in a two-dimensional image. As face and butt cleats have different characteristics, the presented method distinguishes face cleats and butt cleats by direction and present detailed data for both cleat types. The results comprise cleat length, apertures, sizes, intensities, densities, shape parameter, spacing, orientation and connectivity and are therefore more comprehensive than previous cleat descriptions. Three generally different cleat geometries are considered within this study, one sample shows perpendicular face and butt cleats, the second two sets of face cleats intersected by butt cleats and the third parallel face cleats only.