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Quantitative Study of Trace Elements in Coal and Coal Related Ashes using PIXE

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

Trace element analysis of feed coal, fly ash and bottom ash samples acquired from NTPC, Visakhapatnam was done by Particle Induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. Sixteen inorganic elements K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, and Pb were quantified. The enrichment and partition ratios were determined to understand the distribution and behavior of trace elements in coal and its residues. Enrichment factor for trace elements in ashes with respect to the concentration of Fe normalized relative to the earth’s continental crustal values was calculated to understand the effect of these elements on the environment. It was expected that the results of the present study may be useful in determining the coal combustion residue recovery potential and also help in reducing their potential impact on eco systems.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express sincere thanks to the scientific officers and technical operators of Ion Beam Laboratory, Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, for providing beam time using Pelletron accelerator facility and for their support during experimentation. The help extended by the staff members of NTPC, Visakhapatnam in gathering coal and ash samples is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University College of Engineering Vizianagaram, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada, Vizianagaram, 535 003, India

    S. Srikanth & G. J. Naga Raju

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  1. S. Srikanth
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  2. G. J. Naga Raju
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Correspondence to G. J. Naga Raju.

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Srikanth, S., Raju, G.J.N. Quantitative Study of Trace Elements in Coal and Coal Related Ashes using PIXE. J Geol Soc India 94, 533–537 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-019-1351-1

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