Analysis of Forms of Sulfur in Coal

• Main Author: Ruba, Gary
• Format: Others
• Published: TopSCHOLAR® 1987
• Subjects: Chemistry; Physical Sciences and Mathematics
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/2793; https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3798&context=theses

Methods for the determination of sulfur forms are reviewed. Each method is compared to the ASTM D 2492 standard method when data are available. The extraction of pyrites with dilute nitric acid is reviewed in detail because of its relationship to data presented in this thesis. A new technique for the analysis of organic sulfur was developed in response to a need by the coal community for an accurate and inexpensive method. In this method nitric acid extraction is used to remove the inorganic sulfur forms and the residual coal is then analyzed for organic sulfur. Organic sulfur values obtained by this direct method show good agreement with the sulfur content in "supercleaned" coal which has had almost all mineral matter removed by physical methods. The precision of the direct analysis method Is better than that experienced when using ASTM D 2492.