COALBED METHANE PROSPECT OF JAMALGANJ

COALFIELD, BANGLADESH

M. Badrul Imam*
Earth Sciences Department
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia
Mushfiqur Rahman
Asia Energy Corporation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Syed Humyun Akhter
Department of Geology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

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*Address for correspondence:
KFUPM Box 5070
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Dhahran 31261
Saudi Arabia

January 2002 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. 17
 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

Abstract
Five major Gondwana coalfields have been discovered in the half-graben type basins in
the subsurface in the Precambrian platform area of northwest Bangladesh. The Jamalganj
coalfield, with an estimated reserve of about 1053 million tons of coal, has seven coal
seams in the depth range between 640 to 1158 m below the ground surface. Compared to
the other coalfields of the area, with coal occurring at 150 to 500 m depth, Jamalganj coal
is considered to be too deep to be exploited by conventional underground or open pit
mining. Instead, developing coal bed methane from Jamalganj coalfield may be considered
as a viable option for its exploitation.
The positive factors of Jamalganj coal bed methane development include high net
thickness of coal with at least one very thick (40 m+) and widely developed seam, coal
seam burial depth within optimum range, large coal reserves, indication of significant gas
content from drilling data, and poor permeability in the rocks above and surrounding the
coal layers. The thickest seam III can be a primary target for CBM development especially
where it combines with seam IV in the eastern part of the coalfield. However, there are a
number of unknown factors like actual gas content of coal, the coal permeability, and
in-seam pressure that need to be evaluated before deciding the viability of the project.
An initial attempt to collect these baseline data should include drilling test well or wells in
the primary target area where seam III is most thick and widely developed.
Keywords: Coal Bed Methane, Gondwana Coalfields, Jamalganj, Bangladesh.

18 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. January 2002
 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

COALBED METHANE PROSPECT OF JAMALGANJ COALFIELD, BANGLADESH

1. INTRODUCTION
Coalbed methane (CBM) is the methane usually found in coal, which is emitted from the face of coal mines.
Historically, CBM has been considered a safety hazard in underground mines, but due to current technological
development and economics it has now become a significant energy resource. CBM can be extracted through drilling
into underground coal without coal being mined, thus providing alternate natural gas reserves. Until the present date, the
majority of large-scale commercial CBM production plants are located in the USA, mainly in the Warrior Basin
(Alabama) and San Juan Basin (New Mexico). It is also being developed in other countries, i.e. the giant coal fields of
China, Poland, Australia, and the former Soviet Union [1]. The estimated CBM resource base of China is suggested to be
between 500 to 1000 tcf of gas in place, about twice the US levels and, if developed, it could triple China gas supply by
2010 [2]. In eastern India, the CBM resource base for five major Damodar valleys and basins has been estimated to be
40 tcf, with 20–25% recoverability [3]. In the USA, CBM production has increased from about 0.30 tcf in 1991 to 1.1 tcf
in 1997, the latter accounting for about 6% of the total annual natural gas production of the country [2, 4].
Coal bed methane is virtually identical in quality to conventional natural gas that is produced worldwide. However, the
mode of occurrence of CBM differs from the conventional one, in that the CBM occurs mainly (90%) as a
monomolecular layer of methane adsorbed onto the surface of coal materials with the remaining (10%) held in the free
state within coal cleats, i.e. the naturally occurring vertical fractures in coal. Thus, the CBM is both sourced and
reservoired by the same rock, i.e. coal [5]. The most important parameters for CBM prospecting are the presence of a
large volume of coal with high methane content and sufficient permeability within the seam to allow gas production [6].
The flurry of global coal bed methane appraisal in recent years has indicated that the gas content in coal is generally not
a problem. Geologic targeting of thick coal seams at appropriate depth and with optimum permeability is therefore
crucial in any coal bed methane exploration programme.
All the gas fields discovered so far in Bangladesh are located in its eastern part. The prospect of finding conventional
natural gas reserves in the western part of the country is geologically underrated, because of poor representation of
geologic parameters required for pooling of gas reserves. At present, an underground mine is being developed at
Barapukuria coalfield in Dinajpur district and production of coal is expected to start in a few years time from this coal
mine. This will ease the above disparity of energy use between the eastern and western regions, but will not balance the
situation. Underground coal mining in northwestern Bangladesh where all the major coal discoveries have been made
(Figure 1) would be costly because of the presence of 100 to 200 m thick loose sand aquifer formation on top of the coal-
bearing sequence. A special costly freezing technique has to be applied for an underground coal mine. Extensive
development of underground coal mining would therefore be unlikely before the outcome and economics of Barapukuria
coal mine venture is evaluated. The opencast mining option for the above coalfields is not being considered at present
because of the great depth of the coal seams for such an option.
Alternative energy resource development in the western part of the country should therefore be a prime target of the
energy policy. Coal bed methane development in the northwestern coalfields could provide a suitable option to be
considered at present. The Government of Bangladesh has recognized CBM as one of the major possible non-
conventional energy sources and has encouraged, in principle, the public and private sectors to come forward with plans
towards utilization of CBM technology. Until the present date there has been little study on the feasibility of CBM
development in any of the coalfields [7]. Special consideration should be given to CBM development in the fields where
coal seams are beyond the mineable depth, in the context of the current financial, technical, and management capacity of
the country. The Jamalganj coalfield can be one of the prime targets in this respect.

2. GEOLOGY
Jamalganj coalfield was discovered in 1962 by the UN-sponsored coal exploration programme in this country,
whereby 10 wells (both open hole and core drill wells) were drilled in the Jamalganj–Paharpur area of Jaipurhat district.
Coal seams were encountered in 9 out of 10 wells. The coal occurs in Gondwana succession within the depth range of

January 2002 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. 19
 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

640 to 1158 m. After the discovery, consultants including Fried Krupp Roshtaffe [8], Powell Duffryn Technical Services
[9], and Robertson Research International Ltd. [10] conducted feasibility studies for mining of this coal and
recommended that mining Jamalganj is technically feasible. However, no mining project was implemented due to the
depth of the coal seams. Finally, the idea of mining coal from Jamalganj field was abandoned when a large deposit of
coal was discovered at shallower depth of 116 m below the ground surface at Barapukuria basin in Dinajpur district in
1985 [11].

Figure 1. Gondwana coalfields of Bangladesh.

20 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. January 2002
 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

2.1. Location and Extent

The Jamalganj coalfield is located in the vicinity of Jamalganj town and to the west of the north–south broad-gauge
railway line (Figure 2). The nine bore holes that penetrated the coal seams are spread over an area of a maximum east–
west distance of 12.5 km and a maximum north–south distance of 4.8 km. The areal extent of the coal deposit is about
11.7 sq.km.

2.2. Geological Structure

Coal occurs in a typical half-graben basin within the Archaean basement. The structural information on the coal
deposit is based on seismic and borehole data [12]. The Jamalganj coal basin is bounded to the north by an east–west
trending fault known as Buzrak–Durgadah boundary fault (Figure 2). Further to the south, another east–west down to the
south fault is located between wells EDH-9 and EDH-11. Further south, a down to the north fault is present, in between
wells EDH-10 and EDH-14. The western, eastern, and southern limits of the Jamalganj coal deposit are not known
adequately at this stage. However, based on the regional geology of the region, the coal measure is expected to continue
to the east and possibly to the west of the drilled area. The coal seams very likely extend further south at somewhat
greater depth. The coal deposit has been affected by several faults, but there is no evidence of any folding.
The Gondwana rocks generally dip 5–10 degrees but at places dips up to 15 degrees are recorded. More gentle dips of
2–5 degrees are observed in boreholes EDH-10 and EDH-11. The seismic reflection data indicates that the rock horizons
have a regional south–east dip [12]. Figure 2 shows a general contour map of the depth to top of coal seam III.

Figure 2. Geologic structure of Jamalganj coalfield (after Fried Krupp Rohstaffe, 1966 and Holloway & Baily, 1995).

January 2002 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. 21
 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

2.3. Stratigraphic Succession

The stratigraphic succession of the Jamalganj coal basin is shown in Figure 3, in which Gondwana group succession is
overlain by a Tertiary succession, with a major unconformity in between the two. The coal occurs within the Gondwana
Group. No well has reached the base of the Gondwana sequence and the Archaean basement below. Thus the total
thickness of Gondwana rocks in the Jamalganj coal basin is not known. A maximum of 577 m of Gondwana rocks has
been drilled in EDH-6 well. The Gondwana Group consists predominantly of hard, compacted, low-permeability arkosic
coarse to medium-grained sandstones with coal layers and few shales and conglomerate. The group is divided into two
parts, i.e. Lower Gondwana and Upper Gondwana [13].
The Lower Gondwana of Permian age is represented by a 305 m thick sequence consisting predominantly of feldspatic
sandstones, with several coal seams and minor carbonaceous shales and siltstones. The sandstones are hard, compact,
and kaolinitic. This unit has been tentatively correlated with the Raniganj Formation (Permian) of eastern Indian
coalfields [13]. However, Robertson Research International Ltd. [10] suggested that this unit is equivalent to Barakar
Formation (Permian), based largely on the thickness of the coal seams at Jamalganj coalfield, which are much thicker
than those of the Raniganj Formation of India. Seven major coal seams are encountered in the Lower Gondwana
sequence with an average cumulative thickness of 64 m. The individual coal seams show considerable thickness
variation from well to well and these occur at depths ranging from 640 to 1158 m below surface. The Upper Gondwana
unit is believed to be Lower Triassic age and consists of approximately 250 m of medium to coarse-grained feldspatic
sandstone interbedded with microbrecciated conglomerate and minor siltstones.
The Jurassic volcanic Rajmahal Trap Formation encountered in the Kuchma coal basin [13] is absent in the Jamalganj
coalfield. The Gondwana Group here is overlain with a major unconformity by the Paleocene–Eocene Jaintia Group
(185 m). The Jaintia Group is divided from base upward into Cherra Formation (104 m) consisting predominantly of
sandstones with subordinate shale, Sylhet Limestone Formation (38 m) with predominant fossiliferous limestone and
Kopili Formation (42 m) with predominantly shale lithologies. The Jaintia Group is overlain by Oligocene–Miocene
Jamalganj Formation consisting of about 400 m of alternating sandstone, shale, and siltstone. This is succeeded by about
270 m of Pliocene DupiTila Formation of predominantly rather loosely consolidated medium to coarse grained sandstone
with minor shale – clay lithofacies. The above is overlain by recent alluvium with sand, silt, and clay (Figure 3).

3. NATURE, OCCURRENCE, AND RESERVE OF COAL

In Jamalganj coalfield there are a total of seven major coal seams designated as I to VII from top to bottom. Jamalganj
coal is noted for high net coal thickness and at least one very thick and widespread coal seam, i.e. seam III.

3.1.Coal Composition and Rank

Petrological analyses indicate that the upper seams (I–V) have relatively low vitrinite content (19.5–44.2%), variable
exinite content (3–22%), and relatively high inertinite content (24–28%) compared to the lower seams (VI–VII) which
have typically 46.7–61.4% vitrinite, 5–10% exinite, and 22–22.5% inertinite [13]. Result of the chemical analyses (both
proximal and ultimate) as included in Rahman and Zaher [13] is reproduced in Table 1.
Jamalganj coal has been classified as high-volatile bituminous coal. Vitrinite reflectance measured by Fried Krupps
and Rohstaffe [8] and Robertson Research International [10] ranges from 0.66 to 0.84%. The vitrinite reflectance
suggests that seams I to V are high-volatile bituminous B rank and seams VI and VII are high-volatile bituminous A rank
coal [12].

3.2. Thickness of Coal Seams

The individual coal seams range in thickness from less than 2 meters to more than 46 meters [13]. The individual coal
seams show wide variations in thickness laterally, as recorded from well to well (Table 2). The average cumulative
thickness of coal is taken as 64 m. Coal seams III and VII are the two most important coal layers in terms of thickness,
lateral continuity, and reserves. A third seam, i.e. seam IV, also records significant thickness and lateral continuity. Coal
seam III records a thickness of 46.82 m in well EDH-11 and 40.82 m in well EDH-10 in the eastern part of the field, and

22 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. January 2002
 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

Figure 3. Stratigraphic succession of Jamalganj coal field.

January 2002 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. 23
 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

a reduced thickness of only 4.26 m in well EDH-6 in the central part. In the eastern part of the coalfield, seam III
combines with seam IV. This area may thus form an optimum target for the CBM exploration programme.
The coal seams commonly contain a variable number of non-clay partings, mainly carbonaceous mudstones ranging
from a few centimeters to meters thick. Holloway and Baily [12] suggested that the individual seams could perhaps more
correctly be described as coal zones containing several leaves of coal in each zone. There are noticeable differences
between the estimates of Rahman and Zaher [13] and Friederich [14] with respect to the recorded thickness of individual
coal seams in different wells; the later records less thickness for the coal seams than the former. This appears to be
related to inclusion or exclusion of the non-clay partings in the coal seams. The coal seams also show qualitative
variation laterally and vertically, with several zones of high ash coal alternating with more pure coal types.

Table 1. Average Analyses for Coals at Jamalganj [13].

Rahman and Zaher Krupp Rohstaffe Robertson Research

Jamalganj
1980 [13] 1966 [8] International Ltd. 1976 [10]

Ash content 22.4% (10 – 60%) 25.70% (daf) 24.25% (dry)

Proximate analysis

Volatile matter (dry basis) 30 – 40% (dry) 40.60% 36.92%

Fixed carbon (dry basis) 47% (33–54%) -- 36.72%

Moisture (air dried) -- -- 3.58%

Calorific value (clean coal) 12 100 BTU/ lb 11 870 BTU/ lb 11 878 BTU/ lb

Calorific value 11 000 BTU/ lb -- --

Carbon 79.00% 80.25% 80.10%

Ultimate analysis

Hydrogen 5.40% 5.34% 5.39%

Nitrogen 1.81% 1.87% 1.83%

Sulfur 0.65% -- 0.55%

Oxygen 12.50% 11.80% 12.02%

Chlorine 0.04% -- 0.005%

Table 2. Thickness of Coal Seams of Jamalganj Coalfield in Different Wells [13].

Thickness of Coal Seams in Different Wells (meters)

Coal
Western Part Eastern Part
Seams
EDH-5 EDH-6 EDH-7 EDH-8 EDH-9 EDH-10 EDH-11

Seam I 1.52 - - - - 12.68 -

Seam II 4.56 12.46 4.26 7.9 5.17 2.56 3.19

Seam III 19.41 4.26 20.37 20.67 8.87 40.76 46.82

Seam IV 20.22 7.9 10.34 24.78 4.55 5.22 8.97

Seam V 2.36 5.17 13.68 20.98 - 16.42 16.42

Seam VI - 2.56 7.6 10.99 - 6.04 6.04

Seam VII - 3.19 15.05 - - 15.81 15.81

24 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. January 2002
 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

3.3. Depth of Coal

The depth of the coal seam range from 641 to 1126 m below the ground surface (Table 3) and 119 to 512 m below the
base of Tertiary unconformity. The depth of the thickest and most well developed coal seam (III), as recorded in
different wells, ranges from 659 m (EDH-9) to 1032 m (EDH-14) below surface. The deepest coal seam VII has a
recorded depth of 1013 m (EDH-7) to 1124 m (EDH-10) below surface.

Table 3. Coal Seams: Depth in Meters Below Ground Level, Jamalganj [14].

Western Part Eastern Part

Borehole
EDH-5 EDH-6 EDH-7 EDH-8 EDH-9 EDH-10 EDH-11 EDH-12 EDH-14

Elevation 17.4 20.1 16.8 19.2 20.1 17.4 18.9 18 18.3

Seam I 912.9 M M M M 867.1 M S

Seam II 940 + 786.4 698.9 641.2 876.1 892.2 S

Seam III 999.7 929.8 838.4 725.1 659.6 908.7 976.9 922.3 1032.1

Seam IV 1037.5 995.2 882.7 806.7 679.4 966.7 1005.6 United with seam III

Seam V 1070.3 1018 941.8 865.9 TD 1024.6 1036.2 TD TD

Seam VI 1126.4 1102.5 981.6 902.5 TD 1108.7 1093.6 TD TD

Seam VII United with seam VI 1013.9 M TD 1124.1 1101.2 TD TD

3.4. Reserves
Jamalganj coalfield has a total coal reserve of 1054 million tons as calculated by Fried Krupp [8]. This reserve
estimate is based on the assumption that the thickness of coal seams found in EDH-10 represent average values and the
coal has an average specific gravity of 1.49 g/cm2. Seam I has been ignored in this reserve estimate due to its poor
development. The break down of the above reserve is as follows: seam II: 39.5 million tons; seam III: 526.8 million tons;
seam IV: 32.4 million tons; seam V: 30 million tons; seam VI: 50.8 million tons; and seam VII: 374.4 million tons. It is
evident from the above that coal seam III contains about 50 % of the total reserve, while seam VII contains 35 % of the
total reserve in the Jamalganj coalfield.

4. ASSESSMENT OF CBM PROSPECTS

In assessing the prospectivity of CBM development, the following are among the important factors to be considered:
methane content of coal; coal rank; coal permeability; thickness of coal seams; and depth of burial of coal. Generally,
high rank coal with thickness in excess of 30 m, burial depth of more than 600 m, gas content of 6 to 7 m3/ton,
permeability greater than 1.5 md, and an in-situ reserve of more than 1 billion tons of coal is considered reasonably
viable for developing CBM prospect in a Gondwana coal basin [15]. With the background information on the geologic
occurrence of Jamalganj coal described in the previous section, this may now be assessed as to its CBM prospectivity.

4.1. Gas Content

Jamalganj coal is high-volatile to medium-volatile bituminous coal. No direct measurement of the methane gas content
of Jamalganj coal has ever been made. Partially offsetting this shortcoming is the reported gas flow during core drilling.
Fried Krupp Rohstaff [8], reported evolution of gas in several drill holes when drilling penetrated coal, supporting the
view that the coal will give off large quantities of gas.
Using the adsorption isotherm data for coal samples from Khalashpir and Barapukuria fields by the International
Mining Consultant Limited [16], the theoretical maximum methane gas content of seam III of Jamalganj coal field has
been calculated. Considering the fact that the coal seam is not at the maximum depth of burial but about 324 m below the

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 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

Tertiary unconformity (close to EDH-11), the maximum theoretical methane content is taken at 10.7 to 12.8 m3/ton. It is,
however, opined that the actual methane content of seam III in the vicinity of EDH-11 and 12 would be less than the
above values due to higher moisture, lower pressure, and possible higher ash content of the seams. Holloway and Bailey
[12] estimated the potential gas in place in the drainage area of a single well, assuming typical well producing from
combined III and IV, and assuming seam III /IV in EDH-11 as being representative of the field as a whole. Taking
various well spacing patterns (i.e. 60 acre, 80 acre, and 160 acre) and gas content values (i.e. 4 m3/ton, 6 m3/ton, and
7 m3/ton), they estimate the potential gas in place in the drainage area of a single well (Table 4). It has been opined that
the above data suggest greater gas content for Jamalganj field compared to the average gas content of the Warrior basin
(USA) coal bed [12]. Based on the estimated gas content, the Jamalganj coal is obviously a suitable candidate for CBM
prospecting.

Table 4. Expected CBM Gas in situ in a Jamalganj Well [12].

Gas content 60 Acre well spacing 80 Acre well spacing 160 Acre well spacing
3 3 3
4 m /ton 35 252 717 m 47 003 622 m 94 007 245 m3

5 m3/ton 44 065 896 m3 58 754 528 m3 117 507 056 m3

6 m3/ton 52 879 075 m3 70 505 434 m3 141 010 867 m3

7 m3/ton 61 692 254 m3 82 256 339 m3 164 512 678 m3

4.2. Permeability
Coal permeability is the critical factor for determination of gas flow characteristics of coal beds. Unfortunately, there
is a lack of data on the permeability of Jamalganj coal. The cleat system is one of the predominant factors responsible for
permeability in coal seams. Examination of a single available coal sample from Jamalganj well showed thin bands of
dull coal with subordinate bright bands [12]. The permeable nature of the coal is indicated by mud losses during drilling
of EDH-14. Also, in case the permeability of a coal seam proves to be too low, hydraulic fracture can be undertaken to
improve gas production.
The sandstones overlying the coal seams are effectively impermeable due to high compaction and cementation,
especially because of the presence of kaolinitic cement. This sandstone horizon will form an effective seal above the gas-
bearing coal horizons and prevent any problem associated with depressuring (dewatering) of the coal.

4.3. Thickness and Depth of Coal Seams

One of the main advantages of Jamalganj coal for CBM development is that some of the coal seams are very thick.
Seam III is characterized by huge thickness (46 m in EDH-11) in terms of world standards and also its lateral continuity.
In the eastern part of the coal field, near the vicinity of well EDH-12, seam III is combined with seam IV (Table 3).
Seam III could be a primary target for CBM development, specially in place where it combines with seam IV. Other
seams with potential target include seam V and seam VII with thickness up to 20 m and 15 m respectively[13].
The depth of the Jamalganj coal seams ranges from 641 to 1126 meters. This range is within the optimal depth level
accepted for CBM development, which is generally, considered as between 300 to 1200 metres. At a shallower depth the
gas content tends to be low, and the greater the depth, the more reduced is the coal permeability. The depth of seam III,
the most important CBM target, ranges between 659 to 1032 m below the ground level. In fact, all the seams of
Jamalganj coal field are within the optimal depth level for CBM development.

5. CONCLUSION
The total reserve of about 1053 million tons of coal distributed mainly among 7 seams, including some widely
developed and very thick ones, and occurring in depth levels between about 600m to 1150m below surface, offers good
prospects for a coal bed methane development project. From geological and mining considerations, Jamalganj coal

26 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. January 2002
 M. Badrul Imam, Mushfiqur Rahman, and Syed Humyun Akhter

deposit may very well be taken as a test case for coal bed methane development — to be the first of its kind in
Bangladesh. The depths of coal seams in the coal deposit are beyond the reach of mining by underground mining
methods in the context of the financial, technical, and management capacity of the country.
Up to now, there have been no first hand studies or investigations on the Jamalganj coal deposit aimed at CBM
development. As yet, the major unknown factors of the coal bed deposit include the actual gas content of coal,
composition of the coal bed gas, permeability of coal seams, and in-seam pressure of the coal. In the absence of an
adequate data from Jamalganj coalfield, estimate of theoretical maximum gas content made on the basis of adsorption
isotherm data from adjoining Khalashpir and Barapukuria coal is encouraging. Furthermore, presence of significant
amount gas in the Jamalganj coal is indicated by the observation of gas bubbling from mud during drilling of Jamalganj
coal in exploration well. The permeable nature of the coal is also indicated by mud loss during drilling into the coal.
In-seam gas pressure of Jamalganj coal is unknown, but Fried Krupp Rohstaffe [8] suggested that any water under
pressure in the coal is unlikely.
The positive factors for Jamalganj coal bed methane development include large coal reserves, above-average thickness
of the coal seams, suitable burial depths of coal seams, indication of significant gas content, and also the low
permeability of the rocks above and surrounding the coal-bearing layers. The main advantage of Jamalganj coal as a
CBM prospect is a high net coal thickness and the presence of at least one very thick seam (seam III). Seam III can
certainly be a primary target for CBM development, especially where it combines with seam IV, i.e., in the eastern part
of the coalfield.

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Paper Received 20 November 2000; Revised 5 February 2001; Accepted 22 April 2001.

January 2002 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 27, Number 1A. 27