X-ray quantitative analysis of coal by the Reference Intensity Method. Final report

Twenty-four coal samples representing the four major rank types were analyzed by the x-ray RIM methodology which includes mass absorption analysis by x-ray transmission and quantitative x-ray powder diffraction. Twenty-three separate mineral species were observed in the samples, many of which could be quantified in the whole coal analysis. Several mineral species at levels of 5 wt % or less were observed only in the ashed scans. Some dehydration and reconstitution reactions were observed in the ashing process, including the combination of organically bound alkaline-earth elements and sulfur to form bassanite and magnesium sulfates. Quartz and kaolinite dominated the silicate mineral portion of the mineralogy, whereas calcite and siderite represented the carbonate; pyrite with associated sulfate oxidation products were generally present as well. The x-ray transmission studies were successful in estimating the carbonaceous matter in the whole coal samples and comparison of the reduced chemical oxides from the x-ray data with direct analyses from the Penn State data sheets revealed good correlations, although significant departures occurred for some species and a systematic underestimation of aluminum oxide from the x-ray clay peaks was observed. This study suggests that the RIM procedure can be applied to coal mineral and amorphous component analysis more » on a routine basis. 20 refs., 9 figs., 4 tabs. « less