Application of X-ray fluorescence method in coal industry

Radioisotope X-ray fluorescence analysis of coal was carried out for the ash content measurement and sulphur content measurement. X-ray fluorescence analysers with the proportional counter and controlled by microcomputer using backscattering with 238Pu excitation source was employed for the determination of the ash content. Intensities of Ca, Ti and Fe were used to suppress the influence of matrix effect. The main signal gives the scattered lines of exciting source. X-ray fluorescence analysers with Si(Li) detector and with 55Fe sources were used for the determination of S content. 55Fe source excites S, Ca Ti lines but did not excite the Fe line and other heavier elements. Since the aim was to develop the rapid analytical procedure using two sources in analysers was not possible. Both types of analysers was connected in the net and the signal from ash content analysers with 238Pu excitation source was used to eliminate the influence of elements with higher Z. XRF analysers connected in the net with the dual energy gamma ray transmission analysers enable tot control the quality of coal production in the whole mining. The results from XRF measurements were also compared with the corresponding results from the chemical laboratories