Abstract
The principle and analysis of sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy for structure determination of organic sulfur species in coals are reviewed. A third derivative method of the sulfur K-edge XANES spectra is compared with a least-squares method using the same Argonne Premium Coal Samples. The sulfur forms in raw, thermal treated and desulfurized coals by several treatment (bioprocessing, chemical treatment, and rapid pyrolysis) are determined. The applicability and usefulness of high-resolution sulfur XANES spectroscopy is demonstrated for direct, nondestructive and quantitative determination of the nature of organic sulfur in coal.
