Trace-element distribution in various solvent refined-coal fractions as a function of the feed coal

Solvent-refined coal (SRC), a tetrahydrofuran soluble and insoluble SRC derived from five different feed coals have been analysed for twelve metallic elements via flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy. Correlations of metal content in the SRC and pilot-plant processing conditions are discussed. A comparison of these data with previously reported metal analyses via energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis of similar SRC solid products is discussed. Three of the coals have been separated according to effective molecular size by gel-permeation chromatography and metal analyses have been performed on selected fractions. The possibility that some of the metals may be organically bonded is discussed.