Speciation of the inorganic components in brown coal

Brown coal samples from different deposits have been analyzed for the bonding forms of their inorganic components. Besides the analysis of the dried coals, ashing techniques (high and low temperature ashing) and extraction procedures with different solvents (acids, bases, complexation agents, organic solvents with different polarity) have also been investigated. ESCA, PIXE, INAA, ICP-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, NMR and Ionchromatography have been applied to the analysis of coals, ashes, wet ashing and extraction products. The bonding behavior of more than 40 elements could be characterized. Conclusions about geological and geochemical processes during and after coalification could be drawn.