| Abstract: | Diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIS) is used to obtain high quality data on the chemistry and structure of coals and related materials. Minimum sample preparation is required to form a diffusely reflecting surface thus saving time and minimizing structural and chemical modifications. Controlled environment chambers are used to study atmospheric effects and/or in-situ reactions (hydration/dehydration, oxidation/ reduction, derivatization, etc.) of coals and inherent, secondary and/or added minerals. Quantitative measurements of the mineral content may be made either by measured addition or by weighted spectral subtraction. Detailed study of in-situ oxidation gives the concentration of the intermediate transient states of hydrocarbon loss. The progressive insertion of oxygen into aromatic rings to give steady state levels of slow char burning can also be revealed. DRIS is a simple, fast, versatile and informative method for coal analysis. |
