The key difference between proximate and ultimate analysis of coal is that proximate analysis is the technique used to analyze the moisture content, ash content and fixed carbon of coal whereas ultimate analysis is the technique used to analyze the chemical composition of coal.
The technique of proximate analysis involves the determination of the different compounds present in a mixture. Ultimate analysis, on the other hand, involves the determination of the number and types of different chemical elements present in a particular compound. Therefore, these two techniques are related to each other.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Proximate Analysis of Coal
3. What is Ultimate Analysis of Coal
4. Side by Side Comparison – Proximate vs Ultimate Analysis of Coal in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Proximate Analysis of Coal?
Proximate analysis of coal is the process of determining the presence of different compounds and their amounts in coal. The technique of proximate analysis was developed by Henneberg and Stohmann (German scientists) in 1860. This analysis technique involves the partitioning of compounds into different categories depending on the chemical properties of these compounds. Mainly, there are six categories of compounds as moisture, ash, crude protein, crude lipid, crude fibre, and nitrogen-free extracts. In the process of proximate analysis of coal, the moisture content of coal, ash content of coal and the fixed carbon content of coal are determined.
Figure 01: Coal
What is Ultimate Analysis of Coal?
The ultimate analysis of coal is the process of determining different chemical elements present in coal. This technique allows us to get more comprehensive results compared to the proximate analysis process.
Figure 02: Burning of Coal
In this analysis technique, we test moisture, ash, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen content of the sample to determine the elemental composition of the coal sample. Therefore, each and every chemical element in the sample is analyzed through chemical routes and then we can express the contents as percentages with respect to the total mass of the sample. Mostly, this analysis technique is useful in the coal and coke industry.
What is the Difference Between Proximate and Ultimate Analysis of Coal?
Proximate analysis and ultimate analysis techniques are related to each other. The key difference between proximate and ultimate analysis of coal is that proximate analysis of coal is the technique used to analyze the moisture content, ash content and fixed carbon of coal whereas ultimate analysis of coal is the technique used to analyze the chemical composition of coal. Generally, the ultimate analysis gives more comprehensive results compared to the proximate analysis.
The following table summarizes the difference between proximate and ultimate analysis of coal.
Summary – Proximate vs Ultimate Analysis of Coal
Proximate analysis of coal is the process of determining the presence of different compounds and their amounts in coal. Ultimate analysis of coal, on the other hand, is the process of determining different chemical elements present in coal. Therefore, the key difference between proximate and ultimate analysis of coal is that proximate analysis of coal is the technique used to analyze the moisture content, ash content and fixed carbon content of coal whereas ultimate analysis of coal is the technique used to analyze the chemical composition of coal.