Analysis of coals of different rank by Curie-point pyrolysis-mass spectrometry and Curie-point pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract

A series of humic coals of different rank (fixed carbon contents 55–94%) have been investigated by Curie-point pyrolysis-low-voltage mass spectrometry and Curie-point pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The pyrolysis-mass spectra have been compared using factor analysis (principal components analysis). This leads to the conclusion that a limited number of masses are correlated almost exclusively with coal rank. Others are related to the differing maceral compositions of the coals. The GC-MS data show that the masses related to the coalification can be ascribed to indanes, indenes, benzofurans and phenolic compounds.