INTRODUCTION

The RA-915 series mercury analyzers use direct thermal decomposition for the determination of total mercury in coal, minimizing sample preparation and avoiding time-consuming wet-chemical procedures. Established direct-combustion methods such as ASTM D6722, EPA Method 7473, and DL/T 2296 combine thermal decomposition with catalytic conversion and mercury collection by amalgamation, typically using high-purity oxygen as the combustion and carrier gas.

Lumex Instruments offers the procedure and instrumentation for rapid direct analysis using a different analytical configuration. Mercury released during thermal decomposition is transported by mercury-free ambient air directly to the analytical cell and measured by atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction, without an intermediate amalgamation step.

The procedure should be validated by the laboratory for the intended coal matrices, concentration range, and applicable reporting requirements.