The analysis of coal composition plays a vital role in the determination of its quality. This is especially important for coal that is used for energy production, as its heating value and stability are affected by the presence of various elements in the coal. Determining the various components in a given sample of coal is an essential part of understanding its quality. This process is known as coal analysis or coal quality analysis.
The process of coal quality analysis begins by crushing the coal sample to a specific size. This is done to isolate the various levels of particle size in the coal. After that, the sample is sent to the laboratory for further analysis. Using various techniques and scientific instruments such as gas chromatography and elemental analyzers, the laboratory technicians will determine the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the coal sample.
Since every coal deposit is unique in its composition because of geologic variations, coal analysis provides an optimum means of characterizing the sample and understanding its utility. The elements present in the coal, their content, and the value of the coal can be identified through an analysis of the coal sample. The most common elements found in coal are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and moisture. Carbon is the most important element in coal, as it usually makes up the majority of the sample. Hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur are important to determine the heating value of the sample, while nitrogen and moisture are crucial to calculate the calorific value of the coal.
In order to better understand the analytical representation of coal quality, it is important to know its symbol system. The two main components of coal are generally associated with the letters C and H – representing carbon and hydrogen. Other elements are each associated with a single letter – O for oxygen, N for nitrogen, S for sulfur, and M for moisture. The varying elements and their content in the coal are determined by the analysis of the sample and represented in the form of a formula. For example, a typical coal composition analysis consists of the formula C_80 H_29 O_8 N_1. This formula represents the range of element content in the coal, with the highest percentage being carbon and the lowest nitrogen.
In conclusion, the analysis of coal is a crucial part of understanding its individual characteristics and quality. Coal quality analysis provides an insight into the relative levels of elements present in the coal and helps determine its aplication. Additionally, the element symbols can be used to easily illustrate the percentage of various components in a sample.
