Simple and rapid quantification of chromium, arsenic, and selenium in bituminous coal samples using a desktop energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analyzer.

In this study, the simple and rapid quantification of Cr, As, and Se in bituminous coal was achieved by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry using pressed and powdered samples. The accuracy of the EDXRF method was improved by spectral processing optimization so the net intensity of the analytical X-ray line reflected the actual value. The EDXRF method provides results that are comparable to those obtained using traditional chemical analysis methods with two types of samples and it reduces the analysis time by 66% for pellet samples and 90% for powder samples.