Chemical characterization of Indian coal and coal residues by PIGE and PIXE spectroscopies using proton beams from tandem particle accelerators

Abstract Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission and Particle Induced X-ray Emission spectroscopies were applied for the determination of low, medium and high Z elements in coal and coal residues of Indian thermal power plants. In situ current normalized PIGE was used to determine F, Na, Mg, Al and Si concentrations in coal and coal residues. Elements namely Mg, Al and Si were found in percent level, while Na and F were found in trace concentration levels. Charged normalized PIXE was used to determine a total of 22 elements, namely, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Kr, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Gd and Pb in these samples. K, Ca, Ti and Fe were found in percent concentration and V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Kr, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Gd and Pb were found in trace concentration levels.