Chemical analysis of coal by energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence utilizing artificial standards

This chapter describes the use of x-ray fluorescence utilizing the powder method to make accurate determinations of the elemental composition of coal. It reports results of an analysis using an EG and G ORTEC 6110 Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer. It explains that since coal standards are not particularly stable with time and some compositional ranges are not adequately covered, utilization of artificial standards and calculating the variations in the 2 types of matrices offers a convenient method of calibration. In the presented analysis the artificial standards are made from a lithium-boron-oxygen matrix while the whole coal samples are composed essentially of a carbon-hydrogen-oxygen matrix. The conclusion is that energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence is a viable technique for analyzing coal for elemental composition and ash content