INTERIM FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT

September 1, 1996, through August 31, 1997

Project Title: INSTRUMENTAL METHOD FOR DIRECTLY DETERMINING ORGANIC SULFUR IN COAL

ICCI Project Numbers: 96-1/7.1 A-2

Principal Investigator: Chusak Chaven, Illinois State Geological Survey

Other Investigators: John M. Lytle, Joseph A. DeBarr, Kathleen M. Henry and Charles C. Rohl, Illinois State Geological Survey

Project Manager: Dr. Ken Ho, ICCI

ABSTRACT

Under a separate task of the Illinois Basin Coal Sample Program, an instrumental method for determination of organic sulfur is being developed. The analytical instrument (a Perkin Elmer elemental analyzer) to be used for this study has been repaired and modified for sulfur detection. The instrument was also calibrated for quantitative sulfur determination during the second quarter. A special instrument is to be attached to the sulfur analyzer has been requested from the electronics shop of the University of Illinois. Once completed, the two instruments will be combined into a single unit and its performance evaluated for the direct determination of organic sulfur in coal.

Pages 1 - 4 of this report contain proprietary information and is not available for distribution except to the ICCI, the sponsor of this project.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Under a separate task of the Illinois Basin Coal Sample Program, an instrumental method for determination of organic sulfur is being developed. The analytical instrument (a Perkin Elmer elemental analyzer) to be used for this study has been repaired and modified for sulfur detection. The instrument was also calibrated for quantitative sulfur determination during the second quarter. A special instrument is to be attached to the sulfur analyzer has been requested from the electronics shop of the University of Illinois. Once completed, the two instruments will be combined into a single unit and its performance evaluated for the direct determination of organic sulfur in coal.

Tasks to complete this project are as follows:

Task 1. Literature search (completed)

Task 2. Instrumental repair and modification (completed)

Task 3. Building and testing an attachment for the elemental analyzer for determination of organic sulfur (in process)

The remainder of this report contains proprietary information and is not available for distribution except to the sponsor(s) of this project.