Mercury is a toxic trace element in coal. The utilization of coal is the primary source of anthropogenic discharge of mercury. In this study, the modes of occurrence of mercury in six Chinese coals were studied with the on-line atomic fluorescence spectrometer system (TPD-AFS). An Attempt was made to identify the modes of occurrence of mercury in six coals according to their release profile with temperature. The TPD experiment was carried out in a quartz tube reactor. According to the release behavior of mercury in raw coals and acid-leached coals, the modes of occurrence of mercury can be roughly classified into four types, which include organic-bound Hg, silicate-bound Hg, pyrite-bound Hg and other inorganic-bound Hg. The different modes of occurrence of mercury released at different temperature range, which related to coal rank in some extent. The organic-bound mercury is associated with the organic matters in coal. The pyrite-bound mercury can be leached by HNO3 and associated with the pyrite type minerals in coal. The silicate-bound can be leached by HF and associated with the silicate type minerals in coal. The other inorganic-bound mercury can be leached by HCl and associated with the sulfates, carbonates, phosphates and oxides minerals in coal.

Study on the modes of occurrence of mercury in six Chinese coals

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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