Detection of multiple elements in coal samples from Bangladesh by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Detection of rare earth elements in Powder River Basin sub-bituminous coal ash using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

“…Various metal elements were also detected. Although some rare earth elements in the lanthanide series have been identified for some coals and coal ash samples [2,[6][7][8], rare earth elements of both actinide and lanthanide series in PRB-coal ash are reported here for the first time. Comparisons with other detection techniques, therefore, could not be made at present.…”

“…Recently, however, it has been reported that many rare earth elements were found in coal samples from certain regions in Germany and in the United Sates [1][2][3][4][5] in Bulgaria [6], in Bangladesh [7], and in United Kingdom and Poland [8]. Since the combustion of coal for energy generation results in highly concentrated non-volatile minerals in the coal ash wastes, the concentrations of rare-earth elements in coal ash could be enriched up to within the range of mineral ore deposits [1,4,8,9].…”

“…Many techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) [4], inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) [4], neutron activation [6], and LIBS [7,[10][11][12][13][14][15] have been used for coal and coal ash elemental composition analysis. We, however, use the LIBS technique because this is the fast, simple, reagent-free, low-ppm level detection technique for many different situations.…”

“…We, however, use the LIBS technique because this is the fast, simple, reagent-free, low-ppm level detection technique for many different situations. The LIBS technique also provide better data correlations [15] and has an important advantage in that the neutron activation method, because it requires a strong radioactive/neutron source, is bulky and presents potential health hazards [7,10,15].…”

Suitability of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in screening potential additives to mitigate fouling deposits

“…Coal calorific value can also be determined by quantifying C, H 2 , N 2 , and O 2 by LIBS [21,22]. Apart from the major elements carbon and silicon, Haider et al [23] detected the presence of trace element, ytterbium, in Bangladesh coals. In the context of employing LIBS to infer ash deposition, two studies are noteworthy.…”