New Method for EDXRF Analysis of Ash Content in Coal Published

Applied Rigaku Technologies, Inc. (USA) is pleased to publish a new application report that details the analysis of anticipated ash content in unburned coal using the Rigaku NEX QC EDXRF analyser. Rigaku Application Note #1378 demonstrates the capability of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry for predicting percentage of ash content in coal. The report includes complete information about sample preparation, method calibration and repeatability. 

Ash content of coal is the non-combustible residue comprised of metal oxides and heavier elements that remain after the organic, gaseous and volatile components are removed through combustion. The ash content affects the coal quality and influences its price. Reliably predicting the ash content in coal before burning is therefore important in many areas throughout the industry, for example at coal fired power plants. EDXRF offers a fast, straightforward, and low-cost method of predicting the percentage of ash content in coal before it is burned.

Analysis is uncomplicated, with the prospective ash material expressed as a percentage of the original
weight. This analysis is accomplished by use of a simple and versatile benchtop EDXRF analyser.
The performance described demonstrates the capacity of the NEX QC analyzer to yield excellent results
for the analysis, and illustrates its ability to offer lab analysts or field operators an easy and fast tool for
predicting ash content percentage in coal. The versatility of the NEX QC Series of analysers also allows
for the measurement of elemental and oxide concentrations if the assay values are available for the set of
calibration standards.