Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Samples of South African bituminous coals were analysed for total mercury (Hg) and Hg thermospecies concentrations using an RA-915 + Zeeman Mercury Analyser. Total mercury concentrations in samples of coals (n = 57) ranged between 10 ng g−1 and 493 ng g−1 with a mean value of 150 ± 53 ng g−1. Thermospecies of Hg were determined by monitoring Hg response as a function of sample temperature, increasing at 0.8 °C/s from ambient to 720 °C. This approach provides important information on thermal release of Hg species, as indicated by their appearance over specific temperature intervals. This permits identification of the presence of Hg thermospecies in coal and their quantification in each time (temperature) interval. It was found that 76% of tested bituminous coal samples release Hg species within low temperature intervals (20–180 °C and180–360 °C). The information generated in this study will aid in the selection of suitable coals for pre-combustion treatment that can lead to significant reduction of atmospheric Hg emission during coal combustion at power stations. This analytical approach can also be used for the creation of a system of coal classification based on the temperature of release of various Hg thermospecies.
Highlights
Samples of South African bituminous coals were analysed for total mercury (Hg) and Hg thermospecies concentrations using an RA-915 + Zeeman Mercury Analyser
The mercury analyser was calibrated using certified reference materials (CRMs) containing Hg content in the range covered in the coal samples
This study shows that the accuracy and precision of determination of total Hg in coals having an inhomogeneous distribution of Hg is dependent on the particle size of the samples taken for analysis
Summary
Samples of South African bituminous coals were analysed for total mercury (Hg) and Hg thermospecies concentrations using an RA-915 + Zeeman Mercury Analyser. Thermospecies of Hg were determined by monitoring Hg response as a function of sample temperature, increasing at 0.8 °C/s from ambient to 720 °C This approach provides important information on thermal release of Hg species, as indicated by their appearance over specific temperature intervals. The information generated in this study will aid in the selection of suitable coals for pre-combustion treatment that can lead to significant reduction of atmospheric Hg emission during coal combustion at power stations. This analytical approach can be used for the creation of a system of coal classification based on the temperature of release of various Hg thermospecies. The most serious case of MeHg poisoning from contaminated fish took place in 1956 in Minamata,
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
