Sulfur analysis high temperature combustion method

Ultimate analysis of coal and coke, determination of total sulfur content, Eschka method Ultimate analysis of coal and coke, determination of total sulfur content, high temperature combustion method... 

Infrared absorption is one of three standard test methods for sulfur in the analysis sample of coal and coke using high-temperature tube furnace combustion methods (ASTM D-4239). Determination of sulfur is, by definition, part of the ultimate analysis of coal (Chapter 4), but sulfur analysis by the infrared method is also used to serve a number of interests evaluation of coal preparation, evaluation of potential sulfur emissions from coal combustion or conversion processes, and evaluation of the coal quality in relation to contract specifications, as well as other scientific purposes. Infrared analysis provides a reliable, rapid method for determining the concentration of sulfur in coal and is especially applicable when results must be obtained rapidly for the successful completion of industrial, beneficiation, trade, or other evaluations. 

The weight percent of sulfur on the catalysts was obtained via the high-temperature-combustion Dietert technique, ASTM method D1552. The sulfur analysis was based on the weight of the catalyst after all carbon had been removed, i.e., the weight percent reported is not masked by any residual wax or coke on the spent catalyst. 

ASTM D-4239. Standard Test Methods for Sulfur in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke Using High Temperature Tube Furnace Combustion Methods. 

Other procedures include high-temperature tube furnace combustion methods for rapid determination of sulfur in coal and coke, using automated equipment. The instrumental analysis provides a reliable and rapid method for determining sulfur contents of coal or coke. By this method, total sulfur as sulfur dioxide is determined on a continuous basis. 

The total sulfur content may be determined by one of several methods that convert it to sulfate by wet chemical analysis. One of these, the Eschka method, involves combustion of coal at 800°C in the presence of alkaline/oxidant medium (e.g., two parts of calcined MgO and one part anhydrous sodium carbonate) all sulfur is converted to sulfate that by the addition of barium chloride precipitates as barium sulfate, which is calcined to BaO and measured gravimetrically (see ASTM D3177). This is a standard method in many countries. Another is the high-temperature method where the coal is burned in oxygen at 1350°C, converting all sulfur present into SO2. The SO2 is then converted to sulfuric acid for titrimetric determination. 

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