Application of PIXE, RBS and high energy proton microbeams to the elemental analysis of coal and coal waste

A brief description of several relatively new analytical methods based on nuclear technology are given. These are becoming more actively applied to research in the earth science and fossil fuel research. Together with more established techniques such as the scanning electron microprobe, these provide a comprehensive array of methods for materials analysis. The methods which are being used in a continuing study of the elemental constituency and integrity of coal waste products are described. Direct comparisons with other, more established, analytical techniques, and neutron activation analysis are not discussed. Results emphasize the techniques of PIXE, XRF, RBS and microprobes as applied to the analysis of coal waste block material and associated biota. A brief description is given anthracite, bituminous and lignite coal. Conclusions are formulated and future work is proposed