Quantifying organic sulfur in coalA review

Literature on quantifying organic sulfur in coal produced mostly since 1980 is reviewed. The review begins with an examination of the standard (ASTM) methods for determining the total quantity of organic sulfur in a coal sample and then considers some newer methods of accomplishing this. Chemical methods for quantifying organic sulfur forms involve flash pyrolysis, temperature programmed reduction and temperature programmed oxidation. The data obtained by these means are assessed. Newer methods of instrumental analysis involving X-ray spectroscopy are considered and the results compared with those obtained from chemical analysis. It is concluded that there is scope for further study of the quantity and form of organic sulfur in coal. Attention should also be paid to the choice of model compounds used to interpret the data.