Use of SEM (scanning electron microscopy) with wavelength-dispersive spectrometry for organic oxygen in coal

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry; (USA)

OSTI ID:5500382

Norton, G A; Younkin, K A; Straszheim, W E; Markuszewski, R ^[1]

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1. Iowa State Univ., Ames (USA)

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and wavelength-dispersive spectrometry (WDS) were used to determine organic oxygen in four geographically diverse coals and in amber. Subsequent to the previously reported feasibility study, analytical modifications and refinements in sample handling and preparation were made. In addition, the precision of the SEM-WDS analyses was examined. SEM-WDS results were comparable to values obtained by neutron activation and by the indirect ASTM procedure for one coal, while significant discrepancies were observed for the other coals and the amber. Preliminary results suggest that the discrepancies may be caused by the electron beam, which possibly volatilizes oxygen-containing compounds in some of the samples analyzed by this SEM technique. Results also indicated that additional work is required to reduce matrix correction factors.

• OSTI ID: 5500382
• Report Number(s): CONF-8704353--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry; (USA) Journal Volume: 32:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010600* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102 -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COAL
DATA
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
MICROSCOPY
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SPECTROSCOPY