Problems and Solutions in the Use of Coal Analyses.

摘要

The various complex energy problems have stimulated a great resurgence of interest in processes for the conversion of coals into clean gaseous and liquid fuels. Chemical analyses are important to the development of these new processes to a much greater extent than in the well established methods of using coal. Standard procedures for performing the various necessary analyses have been available for many years. The problems arise because all coals are composed of an organic component (originally derived from green plants) and an inorganic component (consisting of minerals such as clays and pyrite). If one wishes to know how much of each of these major components is present,the obvious thing to do is to burn away the organic matter and weigh the remaining ash. But in the process the inorganic components also change. Alternatively,it is desired to determine how much of the element carbon is present in the organic fuel. The standard method unfortunately cannot distinguish between the organic carbon and a form of inorganic carbon present in significant amounts in some coals. Various problems of interpreting and using coal analyses are reviewed. Recommendations are made as to the kind of analytical data scientists and engineers should call for,and both exact and approximate ways to obtain the data are provided. The most important recommendation is that the content of inorganic constituents be reported in terms of mineral content of coal as received,not in terms of ash obtained by combustion of the sample. Finally,some consideration is given to the contribution modern instrumental methods may make to coal analysis. (ERA citation 01:012421)