PREDICTION OF COAL PROPERTIES BY DERIVATIVE DRIFT SPECTROSCOPY

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy wa s evaluated as a method for the determination of volatile matter, fixe d carbon, ash, heating value, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, total sulfur and maximum vitrinite reflectance. Fifty-five samples (mainly bitumin ous coals) were analysed by ASTM methods and the results correlated wi th multiple linear regression (MLR) and principal-components regressio n (PCR) with the second-derivative DRIFT spectra. Good correlations (R > 0.9) were obtained for volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash, carbon, hydrogen and vitrinite reflectance.