The determination of trace elements in British coals using energy dispersive polarized XRF and element distributions by statistical analysis
Trace elements are of environmental concern during coal utilization. Improved coal characterization, with respect to trace elements, has the potential to reduce environmental impacts. In this work trace elements were determined on pressed powders using an energy dispersive, polarized X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (Spectro Analytical X-lab). The use of polarized radiation enables trace elements to be determined in a wide range of geological materials at the low parts per million levels. A total of 25 trace elements were determined and sub-ppm detection levels were achieved for some elements. Precision and accuracy have been established using certified reference materials. In this paper results from two sample suites are considered. One group was collected at a British Coal coal-preparation plant where a multi-gravity separator was undergoing trials. The resulting samples showed a range of ash contents demonstrating varying separation of the minerals. The other group of samples was from the UK Coal Bank that contains representative coals from all the UK coalfields. In this sample suite there is also a variation in the mineral content. Statistical analysis of the first group enables the associations of trace elements in one coal to be established. The importance of pyrite as a host for elements such as As, Se, Mo and Sb is demonstrated, whereas the detrital minerals are mainly responsible for elements such as Rb, V, Cr and Ga. Similar trace element associations occur in the other sample suite representing a number of coalfields and for the pyrite associated elements it is concluded that there is a common control, which is thought to be the salinity of the depositional waters.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Sheffield (GB)
- OSTI ID:
- 20082382
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Sixteenth Annual International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, Pittsburgh, PA (US), 10/11/1999--10/15/1999; Other Information: 1 CD-ROM. Operating systems required: Windows 95/98; Windows 3.X, Macintosh; PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Sixteenth annual international Pittsburgh Coal Conference: Proceedings, [2000] pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE AMOUNT AND DISTRIBUTION OF URANIUM IN BASE METAL SULFIDE MINERALS IN VEIN ORE DEPOSITS. Annual Report for April 1, 1956 to April 30, 1957
Fate of trace elements in UK coals during gasification processes