Method for continuous thermogravimetric analysis of coal

Abstract

A method for continuous thermogravimetric analysis of coal, or other materials rich in carbon, for volatile matter and ash content, including the steps of exposing a coal sample to an atmosphere consisting essentially of about 1 to 5% by volume of oxygen and the remainder being nitrogen and inevitable impurities at a first specified temperature for a first given time, weighing the coal sample to determine a first weight loss during the first given time, the first weight loss corresponding to the amount of volatile matter in the coal sample, burning the coal sample under an oxygen atmosphere having a higher than normal oxygen concentration for a second given time at a temperature sufficient to burn carbon containing materials in the coal sample, and weighing the coal sample to determine a second weight loss during the first given time and the second given time, the second weight loss corresponding to the amount of volatile matter and the amount of ash content in the coal sample.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.