Abstract
A simple, fast yet sensitive method is described for the determination of fifty elements in coal by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The method involves complete dissolution of coal with mixed acid $(HNO_3, HF, HClO_4)$ in hish pressure Teflon bomb and subsequent inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric(ICP-MS) measurement. The accuracy of the method, being evaluated by the analysis of NIST SRMs (1632a, 1632b) is better than 20% RSD for most elements. The limits of detection defined by two times $\sigma$ (standard deviation of operational blank) are in order of sub-ppm to ppm, which are low enough to quantitate most elements. However, the determiantions for few elements such as V, As, Se are severely interfered by molecular ions such that their accurate determiantions are not possible. Analytical results for twentyon coals from eight countries including six ones world major coal producing, Korea, Japan, China, I.C.S., U.S.A., Canada, Australia, and South Africa are presented. While the results for major elements agree well with the existing ones, those for a few trace elements disagree considerably. The existing values are considerably higher. It is not possible to judge which are more accurate. However, the exisisting values are more likely to be errorous inasmuch as they are obtained without using high purity reagents and clean laboratory techniques.
