Journal of Minera ls & Materials Ch ar ac teri zatio n & Engineeri ng, Vol. 8, No.10, pp.821-832, 2009
jmmce.org Printed in the USA. All rights reserved
821
Chemical Leaching of Low Rank Coal and its Characterization usin g
SEM/EDAX and FTIR
B. Manoj*, A.G. Kunjomana and K.A. Chandrasekharan
Department of Physics, Christ University, Hosur Road, Bangalore -29
Karnataka, India.
*Corresponding Author: [e-mail]
ABSTRACT
Demineralization of coal carried out using EDTA for different time and HF of varying
concentratio n. The residual coal from each tr eatment was characterized togeth er with virgin
coal using Scanning Electron Microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX).
Micrograph and EDAX analysis o f Virgin coal reveal the features lithophiles like aluminium,
silicates and calcium. The absence of the features corresponding inorganic elements in
residual samples is an indication of demineralization. An elemental analyzer was adopted to
analyze CHNS on virgin and residual coal sample. The current research compares the
leaching efficiency of a mild leachant and a strong leachant. The final analysis showed that
the coal under study was sub bituminous coal and leaching could improve the amount of
carbonaceous material.
Keywords: Coal; Minerals; Characterization; SEM; EDAX; FTIR
1. INTRODUCTION
Study on various non renewable energy sources and enhancement of their fuel efficiency
through different processes like chemical and biological means is a topic of continuing
research. Many environmentalists see coal as inherently dirty. Coal minerals are considered
objectionable due to the process as well as environmental problems. Coal minerals might be
epigenetic and syngentic. Both constitute the inorganic part of the coal and if its
concentration increases above a certain level, it is hazardous to the environment and the
furnace. Minerals are needed to certain levels due to the catalytic effects in gasification and
liquefaction [1-2]. Efforts are needed to reduce the ash forming inorganic elements and
develop clean methods of using coal. Demineralization prior to utilization is an effective way
to ensure environmental friendly combustion of coal as a fuel.

822 B. Manoj, A.G. Kunjomana and K.A. Chandrasekharan Vol.8, No.10
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Many techniques are employed for coal beneficiation in order to demineralize and
desulphurise coal [1-7]. Among these methods, leaching of coal with different leachants is
presently carried out worldwide [1, 6-7]. Mineral acids are generally used to demineralize the
coals but due to their strong oxidizing power, they modify the coal surface morphology, harm
the carbon, reduce the calorific value and create environmental problems. Mild leachants are
generally used to avoid such disadvantages.
In the present investigation, coal sample was collected from Godavari coal field,
characterized and then subjected to leaching with leachants like HF and EDTA. The objective
was to reduce mineral content and sulphur to overcome deleterious effects associated with
combustion of low rank coal, without harming the carbon content of coal and compare the
leachability of EDTA with mineral acid HF.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Preparation of Coal Sample
The sample was randomly hand picked from a mine in Godavari coal field. It was crushed
and ground in a pestle and mortar, screened through 250 micrometer sieves using a sieve
shaker. The definite sized coal sample was dried in a vaccum oven at 70oC for one hour and
cooled in a dessicator. The ultimate analysis of the virgin coal and residual coal under study
is provided in Table 1.
2.2. Extraction Procedure
Five grams portion of the coal sample under study was extracted separately with EDTA and
HF. The specified amount of coal was slurried in 50ml of extracting solution in a beaker and
stirred for time duration of 60 minutes at 30oC.The beaker was maintained at room
temperature. After being treated for the specified time, the slurry was allowed to settle down
and the precipitate was removed. The slurry was filtered using filter paper to remove the
capture solution. The residual coal was washed in a water column of distilled water for one
day and filtered again. The filtrates was dried at temperature of 80oC and allowed to cool
slowly in a dessicator. The sample was treated with 0.1N EDTA for a period of 24hrs, 48hrs,
72 hrs and 96 hrs. The residue was washed with distilled water and dried again at about 80oC.
The powdered sample was treated with Hydrofluoric acid (HF) of varying concentration
(40%, 30%, 20% and 10%) for 24hrs and the slurry was filtered and dried as discussed above.
The use of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis
and FTIR has many current and potential applications for the coal and mineral processing
industries. It is used to investigate the formation and deposition of unwanted ash by- products
and in analyzing substances of environmental concern.

Vol.8, No.10 Chemical Leaching of Low Rank Coal 823
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2.3. EDAX Analysis
Energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometer (EDAX) model JSM 840A from JEOL Company
in Japan was used for the mineral analysis of treated and virgin coals.
2.4. SEM Analysis
The SEM micrographs of the virgin and residual coal samples obtained by Scanning Electron
Microscope (SEM) model JSM 6390 from JEOL Company in Japan.
2.5. FTIR Analysis
For analysis, about 20g of the sample was crushed in to fine powder of about 5 µm in size.
2mg of the powdered sample was then mixed with KBr in the ratio 1:200 and ground for
about 10 minutes. The grinding time and the sample to KBr ratio 1:200 were kept constant
for all the samples under study to ensure uniformity. The mixture was then placed in a 13 mm
diameter die cavity and pressed under high pressure. The spectrum was recorded by using
Shimadzu FTIR -8400 spectrometer in the region 4000 - 400 cm-1. This spectrometer had
the resolution of 4 cm-1. To obtain consistent records the FT-IR spectra was recorded in 20
scan mode. The FTIR spectrum of virgin coal and residual coal after chemical leaching was
shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8.
2.6. Elemental Analysis
Elemental analysis was carried out using VarioEL III CHNS analyzer. The analysis was able
to determine CHNS on dried samples. Oxygen content was obtained subtracting the total
weight of the Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and sulphur from the total.
3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometric (EDAX) study of the virgin coal and residue was
conducted to study and compare the leachability of various leachants used. EDAX spectra of
virgin sample and treated coals were given in Figure.1-3. It was evident from the Figure.1
and CHNS analysis (table.1) that the coal under study had Carbon (60.12%), Oxygen
(31.107%), Al (25.66%), Si (53.87%), S (9.04%) and Ca (11.43%). It was observed from the
Ultimate study that the Carbon content increased to a maximum of 69.44% when leached
with EDTA for 24hrs. It was also inferred from the EDAX analysis (Figure.2) that lithophilic
elements like Ca was completely removed where as Sulphur content was reduced
considerably [1, 4, 6, 8]. It was also noticed that the aluminium and silicates content did not
decrease with EDTA leaching.

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Vol.8, No.10 Chemical Leaching of Low Rank Coal 825
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When the sample was leached with strong leachant like HF (Figure.3), almost all minerals
(Silicates, Aluminates and Calcites) were removed and only a trace amount of sulphur was
present in the sample. It was matched with CHNS analysis where the sulphur content was
reported to be at very low level of 0.016%. During the leaching the carbon content showed an
increase of 28.842% from the initial value.
3.1. SEM Observation
The SEM micrographs of the virgin and variously leached samples were provided in
Figures.4-6. Figure.4 represents the SEM image of the virgin coal sample. A bulk
microstructure composed of homogeneously distributed network of small crystallites showed
the presence of minerals. In the matrix, luminous as well as non luminous features could be
seen. These features indicate the presence of minerals distributed in the organic matrix. Many
fissures, cleats, cracks and veins were also observed. The bright luminosity was due to the
presence of aluminium,potassium or sodium. The dark luminosity was mainly due to the
presence of chalcophiles [1, 5]. Etiched pits, layers, some islands and hills & valleys could
also be seen randomly distributed throught the micrograph.These might had resulted from the
calcinations of dolomite and calcites or their assemblages due to thermal shock during
metamorphism. It was inferred that the coal under study contain large proportins of Silica,
Calcium carbonates and Dolomite, as well as some proportions of elements such as
aluminium, potassium and sulphur.
To remove the minerals and enrich the coal in usable carbon, chemical leaching was
performed. The sample was leached with a chelating agent (EDTA) for 24 hours and the
SEM of the residual coal was taken.

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The SEM study (Figure 5) revealed that the EDTA leaching did not harm the Carbon. From
the EDAX study it was also noticed that the mineral content especially the sulphur content
decreases to minimum when treated with EDTA. Numerous aggregated particle could be seen
on the suface. The increase of porosity was an indication that significant amount of inorganic
elements were being removed. However, the surface coverage was still bright and luminous
indicating the presence of mineral phases.

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Leaching was also performed with Hydrofluric acid (HF). The SEM image of the residual
coal from this treatment was provided in Figure 6. It could be seen that this leahant caused
morpholigical changes in the particle and did enormous harm to the surface by leaching many
of the inorganic elements.
Upon comparing different micrograph (Figure 4-Figure 6), it can be concluded that amongst
the leachants used, HF was very effective for removing mineral matter like silicates and
aluminates. EDTA leaching could remove calcites completely and leach the sulphur content
partially.
Table 1 showed that demineralization using HF and EDTA leaching modified the Ultimate
and EDAX analyis of the sample. There was an appreciable reduction in the Sulphur and
Oxygen content from the virgin sample [6-7]. EDTA could remove certain amount of
minerals and oxygenated functional groups from the sample.

828 B. Manoj, A.G. Kunjomana and K.A. Chandrasekharan Vol.8, No.10
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Table.1 EDAX analysis and Ultimate Analysis
Sample EDAX analysis Ultimate
Analysis
Virgin coal
Elemental % Atomic
%
C
H
N
S
O(diff)
60.12%
6.840%
1.469%
0.464%
31.107%
Si
Al
S
Ca
53.87
25.66
09.04
11.43
55.82
27.67
8.21
8.30
Sample leached with
EDTA
Si
Al
S
Ca
67.83
25.67
6.47
----
67.73
26.61
5.66
---
C
H
N
S
O(diff
69.44%
2.730%
1.468%
0.070%
26.29%
Sample leached with HF
Si
Al
S
Ca
--
--
Trace
--
--
--
Trace
--
C
H
N
S
O(diff
77.46%
4.432%
1.932%
0.016%
16.16%
3.2. FTIR Analysis
Each absorption band in the spectra (Figure 7) was analyzed for the intensity of transmission
by Lambert-Beer law [9-12]. Bands were assigned according to the published articles [9-12].
Figure.7 showed that the entire spectrum had more or less similar broad characteristic
absorption bands. All the absorption bands were unresolved indicating that the material
constituents had either large particle size or contained polymeric units. From Figure.8 it was
observed that absorption peaks were better resolved and it was an indication of the effect of
chemical treatment on the structure of coal.

Vol.8, No.10 Chemical Leaching of Low Rank Coal 829
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FT-IR spectrum analysis was used to investigate variations in the functional groups of coal
sample used in the experiments. FTIR technique is a useful analytical method for the
identification of constituents of demineralized coal samples. The spectra of the residual coal
samples could be analysed in terms of the fixed mix of functional groups. OH and NH
stretching in between 3100-3500cm-1, C-H aliphatic in between 2800-3000cm-1.C=O and C-
O stretching in between 1640-1750cm-1 attributed to phenolic ester, carboxylic acid and
conjugated ketonic structures. The region from 1000-1100cm-1 is attributed for silicate
minerals. The region in between 700-900cm-1 contains various bands related to aromatic, out
of plane C-H bending with different degrees of substitution. The change in absorption and
frequency in the spectrum peaks shows how the leaching conditions affect the structure of
coal.
In Figure 8 spectrums have general broad characteristics. The bands at 2800-2920cm-1 (C-H
aliphatic stretching) and 1375-1465cm-1(C-H aliphatic bending) are more intense in HF
treated samples. There was absence of peaks in the carboxylic region 1640-1750cm-1, which
were attributed to phenolic structure. When concentration of HF was increased from 10% to
30% (HF10-HF30) the frequency of the OH band changed from 3394cm-1 to 3445cm-1.Upon
comparing the C=C band at 1600cm-1, in Figure.8, spectrum corresponds to HF 20% showed
maximum intensity of absorption at 1600cm-1. The spectrum EDTA 24hrs also showed
maximum absorption at the same frequency. This indicated that the degree of carbonization
was higher when treated with HF 20% followed by EDTA 24hrs. The band between 1100-
1450cm-1 more or less remains unaffected with leaching except with HF30% and EDTA
72hrs. This band reduced its intensity to a minimum on these two spectrums. Leaching with
EDTA could reduce the intensity of this complex molecule and most effective when treated
for 72 hrs. EDTA and mineral acid (HF) were effective in solubilizing this complex
molecule.

830 B. Manoj, A.G. Kunjomana and K.A. Chandrasekharan Vol.8, No.10
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On comparing the silicate band at 1010cm-1, 1030cm-1 and 1090cm-1, maximum removal was
taken place with HF 20% as leachant. EDTA could not remove the silicates completely where
as HF being good corrosive acid could completely demineralize the silicates. The bands
between 700-900cm-1, was due to aromatic, out of plane C-H bending with different degrees
of freedom showed very week intensity of absorption in spectrum of EDTA solubilized
product compared to HF leaching. There was decrease in the spectral intensity as the time of
EDTA leaching was increased. The weak absorption band at 1350 cm-1 and 1150cm-1 was
asymmetric and symmetric stretch of sulphonic acid. With treatment of HF, the intensity of
this band substantially reduced, where as with EDTA the effect was not noticeable. On
comparing with the FT-IR spectra of chemical solubilized coal sample (Figure.8), it was
found that the hydroxyl stretching vibrations (3670-3230cm-1) and (1410-1310cm-1)
decreases its intensity. This may be due to the reduction in oxygen functional group while
leaching with acid. The aliphatic CH stretching vibrations (2980-2845cm-1) asymmetric CH2
and CH3 bending vibrations (1485-1400cm-1) decreases its intensity moderately.
The aromatic C=C stretching vibrations (1635-1600cm-1) showed strong absorption. This
indicates the product was having more carbon content. This result was confirmed with the
CHNS analysis. The possible reason could be a reduction of oxygen content via
transformation of C=O to CH2 or possibly via decarboxylation of the matrix, which in turn
would improve Carbon and Hydrogen content and hence calorific value. Up on comparing
the spectrum, it was observed that all the samples showed a remarkable absorption near
1440cm-1 with maximum absorption for HF20%, then EDTA 24hrs. This indicated the strong
presence of methylene and methyl groups in the sample. It was not so prominent in the
Chemical leached samples with HF (30%) and HF (40%) sample. This could be due to the
enhancement of methylene absorption by the strong acid. The bands at 1541cm-1 and 1442
cm-1 is normally present in immature coals with more lignin content. This band was shifted
from strong absorption to medium intensity in the spectra of solubilized product. This
revealed the effectiveness of HF leaching. The band at 1375cm-1 is due to absorption of
methyl symmetric bending vibrations in tertiary butyl groups. This band was normally
present in low rank coals. The intensity of this band decreases in the solubilized product. This
indicates that the leaching has improved the quality of fuel.

Vol.8, No.10 Chemical Leaching of Low Rank Coal 831
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4. CONCLUSION
It was inferred from the EDAX analysis that EDTA and HF leached the lithophilic elements
like calcium effectively. The EDTA leaching could partially remove sulphur content from the
sample where as the HF could remove a majority of sulphur from the sample. It was also
observed that HF was a successful leachant for leaching silicates, aluminates and calcites
from the sample. From the CHNS analysis it was clear that leaching could decrease the
sulphur and oxygen content of the sample while increasing the carbon content.
Bauxite and silicate minerals were most abundant in the sample along with calcites and a
trace of sulphur. It showed a dense, shining and blocky structure by the SEM analyses. The
SEM image of the residual coal from HF treatment revealed that this leachant had caused
morphplogical changes in the sample and did enormous change to the surface by leaching
many of the inorganic elements. In the SEM of residual sample leached with EDTA,
numerous aggregated particle could be seen. The increase of porosity was an indication that
significant amount of inorganic elements were being removed. However, the surface
coverage was still bright and luminous indicating the presence of mineral phases.Upon
comparing different micrographs, it was concluded that amongst the leachants used HF was
very effective in leaching mineral matter than EDTA. This result was in good agreement with
the findings of EDAX and ultimate analysis.
On comparing the FTIR spectrum, it is inferred that the prolonged leaching with EDTA could
remove more minerals from the surface. The lignin content decreased during leaching.
Comparing the chemical leaching, HF was found to be a better leachant for leaching minerals
from coal.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

832 B. Manoj, A.G. Kunjomana and K.A. Chandrasekharan Vol.8, No.10
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The authors are thankful to Christ University, Bangalore for the providing research facility to
carry out this work. We are grateful to the Research development centre, Bharathiar
University for allowing registering for PhD work.
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