High-temperature Ashing Research Articles

NO heterogeneous reduction on semi-coke and residual carbon with the presence of O2 and CO

Semi-coke and residual carbon are potential to serve as reducing agents for NO reduction in deep-staged co-combustion, while the impacts of flue gas components, O2 and CO, on NO heterogeneous reduction by semi-coke and residual carbon from practical industrial production have yet to be fully understood. The ash originated from different ashing methods, traditional high-temperature ashing method and low-temperature plasma ashing method, has different component distributions, which is also likely to generate important effects on NO reduction. However, the roles of components within various ash samples in NO-CO homogeneous reduction are still unclear. In this paper, the reactivities of various semi-cokes and residual carbon were experimentally studied for NO reduction using a lab-scale fixed-bed reactor. The experimental results indicate that the reactivities of semi-cokes and residual carbon towards NO reduction increase significantly when the temperature is beyond 700 °C, with more than 80% of NO being reduced at >850 °C. The addition of O2 tends to decrease NO conversion owing to the competition between NO and O2 for reacting with semi-coke. Carbon monoxide contributes to NO reduction significantly because it can not only reduce NO through the homogeneous reaction between CO and NO, but also lower the activation energy of the heterogeneous NO-char reaction. The interaction effects on NO conversion and apparent activation energy vary with the reaction temperature and CO concentration. In addition, ash samples from semi-coke are more efficient catalysts for NO homogeneous reduction than those of residual carbon.

The impact of ash pellet characteristics and pellet processing parameters on ash fusion behaviour

The Ash Fusion Test (AFT) is considered to be the most popular method of characterising the melt characteristics of solid fuel ash. This study shows how pellet preparation can make significant improvements to repeatability. Pelleting pressure, pellet particle size, pellet shape, and furnace ramp rate were investigated to establish the most repeatable representation of ash melting relevant to pulverised fuel combustion in a furnace in an oxidizing atmosphere up to 1600 °C. A 5 mm machine pressed pellet was found to produce the best results as it identified the earliest initial deformation temperature (IDT), gave the least error, and displayed the greatest visible change in pellet height to enable easy identification. Reducing maximum ash particle size to <72 µm and increasing the pressure of the pelleting process was also shown to produce a 120 °C reduction in the IDT when compared with other methods. Reducing the ashing temperature and retaining volatiles lost during high temperature ashing were shown to have a negligible impact on IDT. The characteristic AFT curve was also used to quantify the extent of shrinkage and swelling during the test.

Fluorescence “on-off” Responses of BSA-Cu System Towards Hydrogen Peroxide and L-Cysteine and Their Analysis Applications

The synthesis of copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) and its application as optical probe have attracted great attention. In this work, it was found that bovine serum albumin (BSA) reacted with copper ion (Cu2+) in a base medium to form a stable BSA-Cu complex, and the introduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) could remarkably accelerate the formation of CuNCs. At the same time, the fluorescence intensity increased rapidly. Based on the fluorescence “on” response of BSA-Cu system, a kinetics method was developed for the fluorescent detection of H2O2. The fluorescence intensity of BSA-Cu linearly increased with the increase of H2O2 concentration in the range from 1.0 × 10−6 M to 1.5 × 10−3 M with the detection limit of 3.1 × 10−7 M (S/N = 3). After that, the collected BSA-Cu solution was placed until its fluorescence intensity reached the maximal value, during which the Cu2+ ions were fully changed into CuNCs. The experiment results demonstrated that the addition of L-cysteine (L-cys) into the solution led to an obvious fluorescence quenching. Based on the fluorescence “off” response of BSA-Cu system, an analytical method was established for the fluorescent determination of L-cys. The fluorescence intensity linearly reduced with the increase of L-cys concentration in the range of 2.0 × 10−4–1.0 × 10−2 M with the detection limit of 5.7 × 10−5 M (S/N = 3). Finally, the resulted BSA-Cu waste was treated by high temperature ashing and then dissolved with sulfuric acid, thus the CuNCs were turned into Cu2+ ions. The obtained Cu2+ solution continued to be used for the detection of H2O2 and L-cys in the next cycle. In this work, the cycle detection of H2O2 and L-cys and reuse of copper could be achieved through the conversion between Cu2+ and CuNCs. This method, with characteristics of high sensitivity, low cost and environment-friendliness, can be widely used for routine analysis of H2O2 and L-cys.

Effect of Transition Metal Polymers with Varying Side Alkyl Chain on Viscosity Reduction of Crude Oil and Aggregation Behavior of Asphaltene

Asphaltene aggregation is considered one of the key points to the viscosity rise of heavy oil, which will severely impact heavy oil recovery. In this study, Cu2+ grafted polymers with varying lengths of side alkyl chain were synthesized to participate in heavy oil upgrading, and the influence on viscosity reduction and asphaltene aggregation of heavy oil has been discussed. The polymer structures were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Cu2+ content was measured by high-temperature ashing method. The upgrading experiments were carried out in autoclaves, and asphaltene aggregation behavior was determined by UV–vis spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and near-infrared (near-IR) oil analyzer. The results have shown that, besides the role of Cu2+ in upgrading the reaction, polymer chains showed a significant effect on viscosity reduction. In studies on asphaltene aggregation behavior, it was found that polymer can disperse asphaltene and inhibit its aggregation even after high-temperature treatment. Meanwhile, as a carrier, polymer’s long carbon chains help Cu2+ to contact with or even insert into asphaltene and increase the chance for C–S bond and C–C bond cleavage. As a result, after upgrading with PC3, the viscosity reduction ratio of Lukeqin crude oil reaches 66.67%. The heavy components amount (the content of resin plus asphaltene) decreases by 9.95%.

Effect of ashing temperature on accurate determination of plutonium in soil samples.

An acidic leaching method using HNO3 is widely employed to release the global fallout Pu from soil samples for further chemical separations in radioecology and toxicology studies and in many applications using Pu as a useful tracer. In the method's sample ash treatment step to decompose organic matter in soil, various ashing temperatures (400-900 °C) are used; however, the effect of ashing temperature on the accurate Pu analysis has not been well investigated. In this study, two standard reference soils (IAEA-soil-6 and IAEA-375) were used to determine the ashing temperature effect (from 375 to 600 °C) on the HNO3 leaching method. The Pu analytical results of both standard reference materials showed that lower (239+240)Pu activity was observed when the ashing temperature exceeded 450 °C, and the (239+240)Pu activity continued to decrease as the ashing temperature was raised. Approximately 40% of the Pu content could not be leached out by concentrated HNO3 after ashing for 4 h at 600 °C. The Pu loss was attributed to the formation of refractory materials, which are insoluble in HNO3 solution. This hypothesis was confirmed by the XRD analysis of soil samples, which revealed that plagioclase-like silicate materials were formed after high-temperature ashing. To ensure Pu release efficiency in HNO3 leaching, we recommend 450 °C as the ideal ashing temperature. This recommendation is also useful for analysis of other important artificial radionuclides (e.g., (137)Cs, (90)Sr, (241)Am) for which an ashing process is needed to decompose the organic content in soil samples.

Determination of Trace Germanium in Plant Samples by Dry Ashing-Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

To reduce the limit of detection (LOD) and allow the accurate determination of Ge, a dry ashing method was performed to enrich the Ge in plant samples. A method for the determination.of trace Ge in plant samples by HG-AFS was established. Study of the effect of temperature on the ashing of plant samples showed that no volatile loss of Ge occurred even at 900 °C. Additional experiments indicated that a 4 h burning process at 600 °C would be sufficient to fully ash the plant samples. Various digestion methods (involving nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and sulfuric acid digestion methods) for ashed samples were investigated. High-temperature ashing with large sample weights was used, which could reduce the reagent doses and the method's LOD effectively and simultaneously, the precision of the method was improved. The method's LOD was 0.27 ng · g(-1), and the relative standard deviation was 3.99%-6.81%. Verified with national biological reference materials (grade I), the proposed method was accurate and reliable.

Characterization of Cleanroom Dry Wipers for Trace Metal Contaminations

In this work, metal contamination of cleanroom dry wipers was characterized by ICP-MS analysis using various sample preparation methods. Trace metals extracted by ultrapure water were limited even with sonication and results from nitric acid extraction were orders of magnitude higher, possibly due to improved solubility of metal species. Results from high temperature ashing process provided an overall picture of all non-volatile metal impurities in these wipers and served as a reference point for the study. By varying acid composition, acid concentration, and/or extraction temperature, metal impurity information reflecting real-world applications could be attained. The study found titanium and antimony constituted approximately 0.25% (as TiO2) and 0.015% (as Sb2O3) of wiper weight with other trace metals at 5–15 ppm; Hydrofluoric acid - hydrogen peroxide mixture extracted more impurities than dilute nitric acid; and 80°C 1-hour extraction was more effective than 20°C 24-hour extraction. Replicate measurements found significant wiper piece-to-piece variation for some metals. Time study for acid extraction of these wipers suggested 6–12 hours extraction duration needed for metals to reach concentration plateau at room temperature. The study demonstrated that ICP-MS based methods are effective and viable techniques for wiper evaluation and qualification, process monitoring, and quality control.

Trace Metal Analysis of Cleanroom Dry Wipers by Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry

Cleanroom dry wipers were tested for trace metals by ultrapure water extraction, acid extraction, and high temperature ashing followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry analysis. All wipers showed high level titanium at 0.15 - 0.18 wt. %. Trace metals extracted by ultrapure water were limited even with sonication and results from dilute nitric acid extraction were hundreds of times higher, possibly due to improved solubility of metal/metal oxide/salt. Metal results from high temperature ashing process were the highest as ashing released all metals, attached to and embedded in the wiper, for acid digestion. The effects of acid composition, acid concentration, extraction time, and extraction temperature on metal extraction were also investigated. Results indicated one hour extraction at 80oC extracted more metal than twenty-four hour extraction at room temperature and hydrofluoric acid - hydrogen peroxide mixture was more effective than nitric acid in most cases.

Quantitative evaluation of minerals in coal deposits in the Witbank and Highveld Coalfields, and the potential impact on acid mine drainage

This study has investigated the quantitative distribution of minerals in coals and other lithological units in the coal-bearing successions of the Witbank and Highveld Coalfields in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, using low-temperature oxygen-plasma ashing (LTA), high temperature ashing, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry techniques. Mineral matter makes up approximately 8 to 35 wt.% of the coal samples. SiO 2 concentrations in the coal vary between 0.0 and 35.0 wt.%, Al 2 O 3 between 0.5 and 16.0 wt.%, Fe 2 O 3 between 0.03 and 10.0 wt.%, and S between 0.15 and 8.0 wt.%. Minor concentrations of CaO (0.0 to 8.0 wt.%) and MgO (0.0 to 1.0 wt.%) are also present. P 2 O 5 occurs in concentrations of 0.0 to 3.5 wt.% and K 2 O is in the order of 0.0 to 1.3 wt.%. Na 2 O varies between 0.0 and 0.45 wt.%, with the Highveld coals showing an enrichment in Na 2 O (0.0 to 0.51 wt.%) in comparison with the Witbank coals. The minerals in the coals are dominated by quartz and kaolinite, with varying proportions of calcite, dolomite and pyrite, as well as accessory phosphate phases. Higher (normalised) K 2 O and Na 2 O concentrations are present in the sandstones than in the associated siltstones and carbonaceous shales, partly reflecting the presence of feldspars and clay minerals such as illite. Acid–base accounting was used to investigate the potential of the coal and coal-bearing units to produce acid mine drainage conditions. According to the screening criteria, all the coal and coal-bearing units, except the unit between the No. 1 and No. 2 coal seams, are potentially acid generating. The average Net Neutralising Potential (NNP) values suggest that the No. 5 coal seam, the No. 4 Upper coal seam, and the unit between the No. 4 and No. 2 coal seams are potentially acid generating. With such techniques it is possible to predict the types of situations that might arise concerning groundwater quality, and implement proper prevention or remediation programs.

Mineralogy and phase transition of oil sands coke ash

Coke obtained from Syncrude and Suncor was investigated to characterize the metals and minerals by ashing it at various temperatures. Samples were collected by high temperature ashing at 100 °C intervals from 400 to 1200 °C. Samples were also obtained from low temperature ashing (LTA) which gives little effect on the mineral assemblage compared to HTA samples. X-ray diffraction patterns of Suncor and Syncrude coke ash were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively to characterize the mineral phases in the sample and their thermal transition behavior. In Suncor ash, kaolinite, illite, gypsum, anhydrite, microcline, anorthite, hematite, sillimanite and quartz were dominant phases in ash from the LTA temperature up to 700 °C, and mullite, cristobalite, hercynite, albite, anorthite, pseudobrookite and other iron–titanium oxides were dominant mineral phases from 700 to 1200 °C. In Syncrude ash, illite, anhydrite, quartz, anorthite, microcline, sillimanite and hematite were dominant up to 700 °C, and hercynite, anorthite, albite, pseudobrookite and other iron–titanium oxides were dominant up to 1200 °C. The higher quantities of Ca, K and Na, and the lower quantities of V, Fe and Ni in Syncrude ash resulted in higher amorphocity and the different mineral phases.

Morphological and Mineralogical Characterization of Oil Sands Fly Ash

The feasibility of extracting metal values from the oil sands fly ash has been studied in some detail; however, little work has been completed on the mineral phases in the fly ash and their phase changes during ash formation from oil sands coke. Characterization of the ash is essential to obtain sufficient information about the mineral assemblage and its processability. In this study, coke obtained from Syncrude and Suncor, which are the two major oil producers in northern Alberta, Canada, was investigated to elucidate the morphology, ash formation behavior, and the mineralogy, by ashing it at various temperatures. Both high temperature ashing and low temperature ashing (LTA) were employed, and the ash structure was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The results clearly showed that a slight difference in chemistry and mineralogy between two samples greatly affected the properties of ash at high temperatures. Formation of oil sands fly ash was explai...

Occurrence, abundance and origin of minerals in coals and coal ashes

The mineralogy of coal and coal ash samples from a wide variety of deposits worldwide has been studied by X-ray diffractometry, light microscopy, SEM, TEM, and DTA-TGA methods. The common major minerals identified in the crystalline matter of coals are quartz, kaolinite, illite, calcite, pyrite, plagioclase, K-feldspar and gypsum, and occasionally dolomite, ankerite, siderite, Fe oxyhydroxides and sulphates. A number of minor and especially accessory minerals are also present. The modes of occurrence and some genetic peculiarities of the minerals found are described and summarized. Minerals and phases of probable detrital origin include mainly silicates, volcanic glass, oxyhydroxides and phosphates. Authigenic minerals of syngenetic origin may be sulphides, clay minerals, carbonates and rarely sulphates and phosphates. Epigenetic minerals, formed by the infiltration of low-temperature hydrothermal solutions, may include sulphides, carbonates, sulphates, clay minerals, quartz, chlorides, and probably alkaline-earth hydroxides and zeolites. The alteration products of detrital and authigenic minerals may be Fe and Al oxyhydroxides, sulphates, kaolinite, illite, chlorite, muscovite, zeolites and calcite. The behaviour of these minerals and phases during low- and high-temperature ashing is also discussed.

Speciation of the inorganic components in brown coal

Brown coal samples from different deposits have been analyzed for the bonding forms of their inorganic components. Besides the analysis of the dried coals, ashing techniques (high and low temperature ashing) and extraction procedures with different solvents (acids, bases, complexation agents, organic solvents with different polarity) have also been investigated. ESCA, PIXE, INAA, ICP-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, NMR and Ionchromatography have been applied to the analysis of coals, ashes, wet ashing and extraction products. The bonding behavior of more than 40 elements could be characterized. Conclusions about geological and geochemical processes during and after coalification could be drawn.

Applications of ultrasonic nebulization in the analysis of petroleum and petrochemicals by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

The availability in recent years of stable, reliable ultrasonic nebulizers (USN) for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) has led to new applications of ICP-AES in the petroleum and petrochemical industries. These applications take advantage of the high efficiency and high sensitivity of the USN and/or its desolvation capability and include: direct analysis of volatile hydrocarbons such as toluene, naphtha, isopropranol, etc., for trace elements; direct determination of lead in aviation fuel; trace analysis of solvents, distillate oils and low-ash polymers prepared by high temperature ashing; and rapid analysis of heavy oils and finished lubricating oils by microwave digestion of small (0.1 g) samples. This paper presents the status of development of each of the above applications contrasting the performance of the standard pneumatic-type nebulizer system (cross-flow) and the USN. The analysis of volatile hydrocarbons uses the desolvator to remove most of the organic vapour prior to introduction into the plasma. Although this may be accomplished using a cooled spray chamber attached to a pneumatic nebulizer, the high efficiency of the USN provides additional sensitivity tending to offset degradation in performance due to residual solvent loading and organic spectral background effects. The injection of oxygen into the outer and aerosol carrier streams further decreases these effects and yields detection limits for toluene and other solvents that are comparable with the aqueous performance of the USN.

Boron determination in Sulcis coal ash by inductively coupled plasma-optic emission spectrometry

An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer was used for the determination of boron in coal ash samples. The procedure includes high-temperature ashing, followed by hydrofluoric acid plus aqua regia leaching in a microwave oven. The applicability of this method has been verified by precision and accuracy tests.

Comparison of analytical results for gold in vegetation with and without high-temperature ashing

Two approaches to the analysis of vegetation for Au have been taken and their results compared. One method is most suited to the direct determination of Au in the dry form of the sample while the other, comprising simultaneous analysis for Pt and Pd, requires wet chemical digestion of the ashed sample. The widely employed procedure based upon instrumental neutron activation ana- lysis (INAA) of a dried 8-g pellet is evaluated with respect to analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following ashing at 875 °C and dissolution in HF-aqua regia. Samples were collected from an area of known Pd-Pt-Au mineralization at Ferguson Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada and comprise twig and leaf tissue of Labrador tea ( Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens) and dwarf birch ( Betula glandulosa). The two sets of data for 149 samples were statistically tested for bias, specifically to determine whether Au was lost on ashing at the high temperat- ure of 875°C. This was found not to be the case; indeed, a slight rotational bias was evident above 1 ppb Au (dry Weight) indicating higher results by 1CP-MS. This was probably due to differences in calibration strategies in the two analytical techniques and implies that one method should be employed consistently throughout a survey area. The larger control data showed superior precision by the ICP-MS method, suggested to be a reflection of the larger sampling weight and five-fold lower detection limit of 0.02 ppb Au. Both methods delineated the zone of mineralization well.

The determination of Au, Pd and Pt in ashed vegetation by ICP-mass spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Current methods to determine Au, Pd and Pt as a “package” in samples of ashed vegetation require a minimum of 10 g to achieve detection limits below 10 ppb. This precludes practical application of biogeochemistry as a prospecting method for these elements. This study is concerned with the development of a method whereby Au, Pd and Pt can be determined in 1–2-g samples of ash to detection levels of 0.5–2 ppb for these elements. The proposed procedure involves ashing at 870°C, decomposition in HF-aqua regia, separation of the analytes by coprecipitation on Te, and analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The high-temperature ashing is employed to obtain full recovery for Pd. Alternatively, additional digestion and evaporation with HClO 4 can be used but with the attendant risk of loss of Au through volatilization of the chloride. Sample introduction in ICP-MS by electrothermal vaporization allows for detailed studies down to 0.2–0.3 ppb for these elements but at the sacrifice of the high productivity enjoyed in analysis by ICP-MS compared to GFAAs. If samples contain high amounts of Cu (e.g., 1000 ppm), an element which is carried through the separation procedure to varying degrees, certain precautions are necessary. Copper causes an isobaric interference (possibly CuAr +) on 105Pd in analysis by ICP-MS and therefore measurement should be made at 106Pd or 108Pd. Copper also suppresses the absorbance for Au in analysis by GFAAS; matrix-matching or the method of standard additions overcomes this interference. Good accuracy is indicated by comparison of results, at higher concentrations of these elements, with independent methods such as NiS fire-assay/neutron activation analysis and Pb fire-assay/ICP-MS. The homogeneity of the sample in Au, Pd and Pt distribution is the dominant factor in the precision obtained. Control samples of ashed spruce twigs and needles averaged relative standard deviations ( n = 7) of 15% for Au (at 40 and 230 ppb), 6% for Pd (at 230 and 1430 ppb) and 18% for Pt (at 90 and 800 ppb).

内外液化用原料炭の基礎性状 （ＩＩ） 鉱物質組成

Reaction characteristics for liquefaction of Japanese and foreign coals are being studied as part of the program of coal liquefaction at the Government Industrial Development Laboratory, Hokkaido. In this study, samples of mineral matter from various coals prepared by a low-temperature ashing technique (LTA) and by a high-temperature ashing technique (HTA) were examined by inductively-coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction in order to obtain fundamental information to clarify the effects of inherent mineral matter on coal liquefaction.The contents of ashes prepared by a low-temperature ashing technique (LTA) and by a high-temperature ashing technique (HTA) range from ca.2wt% to ca.27wt%. The LTA content is higher than the HTA content in most cases due to dehydration and dehydroxylation of clay minerals, decomposition of carbonate minerals, and dehydration of sulfate minerals by high-temperature treatment.According to the results of ICP analysis, the main components of mineral matter in coal are Si, Ti, Al, Ca, Na, K, Fe and Mg, and the minor components (0.01-0.20wt%) are Mn, Zn, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Be. Australian Yallourn lignite is rich in Fe and Mg, and poor in Si and Al. Canadian sub-bituminous coals (Egg Lake and Wabamum) and Chinese Shori lignite and sub-bituminous coals (Koken and Karinga) are rich in Ca. American Kaiser #3 bituminous coal is rich in Fe, Mn, Cu and Be, and Colombian Titiribi bituminous coal is rich in Ca, Fe and Cu. Australian sub-bituminous coals (Wandoan and Liddell) and Japanese sub-bituminous coal (Taiheiyo) and bituminous coal (Shin-Yubari) have a comparatively similar elemental composition.According to the results of X-ray diffraction, the LTA contains quartz, kaolinite, illite, calcite, dolomite, pyrite etc. The HTA contains less identifiable components, namely, quartz, metakaolin, anhydrite, bassanite, hexahydrite etc.

Microincineration and elemental X-ray microanalysis of single Bacillus cereus T spores.

Single whole spores of bacillus cereus T were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe X-ray microanalysis before and after high-temperature (600 degrees C) ashing in air. High-temperature ashing consisted of a centripetal oxidation of the spore surface combined with pyrolysis of the spore's interior. Ashing of single spores produced a compact central ash particle, mimicking the much larger unashed spore body in outline but containing craterlike microregions, and a peripheral thin ash film. Ashing mostly eliminated the spore's organic matrix; however, ash residues still gave residual carbon-characteristic X-ray counts. Ashing of single spores produced a two-, five-, and six-fold increase of potassium, magnesium, and calcium X-ray intensities, respectively. Iron, although low in actual counts, became detectable after ashing. Phosphorus characteristic X-rays were decreased by 41% after ashing, while volatilization lowered sodium and manganese X-ray intensities by over 80%. High-temperature ashing enhanced element-characteristic X-ray intensities of the non-volatilizable mineral(ized) elements of spores by compacting them into ash residues, more so than by simply abolishing their organic matrix. Microincineration appears a generally useful preconcentration technique for elemental detection and localization in X-ray microanalysis.

Ash Fusion Study of West Virginia Coals: ABSTRACT

As more industries and utilities convert to coal, ash fusion information becomes more important for boiler design (waste disposal systems). For example, burning a low fusion temperature coal can cause slagging--the buildup of molten ash on boiler waterwall tubes. Not only is boiler efficiency lowered, but downtime is also increased. Recently, potential buyers of West Virginia coal have inquired frequently about ash fusion. However, the amount of information in the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey's data base is limited to data from about 800 samples, 50% of which were collected in five counties. Thus, the survey is conducting a study of ash fusion temperatures for the state's coals, to increase available data and its geographic coverage. A Leco AF-500 automated ash fusion analyzer was used in this study, which addresses: (1) reliability of results from an automated analyzer, (2) comparison of automated data with conventional data, (3) techniques of sample preparation, high-temperature ashing, and cone preparation, (4) ash-fusion trends in the state, and (5) research developments. The research sought to develop for West Virginia coal a statistical correlation model relating ash-elemental data with fusion data, and to investigate the relationship between ash color and fusion temperature. (Light-colored ashes generally have higher fusion temperatures than darker ashes.) The ash fusion project adds vital information to our computer data base. With this addition, the survey can offer a more complete, unbiased source of information about West Virginia seams to prospective buyers of West Virginia coal. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1915------------