Direct atomic spectrometric analysis by slurry atomisation. Part 3. Whole coal analysis by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

Aqueous suspensions (10%m/V) of whole powdered coal dispersed in Triton X-100%(1%V/V) have been analysed by slurry atomisation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Coals were powdered to a particle size of less than 30 µm and sprayed into a conventional torch using a high-solids type nebuliser. Line selection and operating parameters are reported and results obtained for five coals by direct aqueous calibration. Slurry atomisation results for Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and V in a range of reference and other coals are compared with results obtained by ashing and digestion, followed by atomic absorption spectrometry, and with results for certificate values. The precision (2σ) for the slurry method is ca. 12% relative and recoveries relative to digestion FAAS are Cu 67–105, Fe 25–41, Mn 30–195, Ni 93–243 and V 95–166%. The method also appears applicable to coal ashes.