Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
5-31-1983
Degree Name
Master of Science in Engineering Science- (M.S.)
Department
Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
First Advisor
James M. Grow
Second Advisor
Joseph W. Bozzelli
Third Advisor
Barbara B. Kebbekus
Fourth Advisor
R. P. T. Tomkins
Abstract
Bulk constituent elements contained in coal fly ash were measured by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy in eight samples. Four samples were used as calibration standards for the spectrometer since their compositions were previously determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Calibration coefficients of the standards were calculated with computer assisted regression analysis of the fluorescence spectra, and used to determine the composition of the remaining four samples. The compositions of the latter four samples, as predicted by X-ray fluorescence, were then compared to atomic absorption results. X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption results agree best when the concentrations of elements in the standards are close to the concentrations of the elements in the "unknown".
Sample preparation techniques and their effects on X-ray fluorescence analysis were also studied. Seven of the eight ash samples were analyzed in both powder and pelletized form. A small variation in quantitative analysis was found between the two techniques. However, both preparation techniques give fair results in major constituent analysis.
Recommended Citation
Cervassi, Joseph R., "The quantitative determination of the elemental composition of coal fly ash samples using x-ray fluorescence" (1983). Theses. 3506.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/3506
