Recent progress on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the monitoring of coal quality and unburned carbon in fly ash

Our recent progress on developments of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) based equipments for on-line monitoring of pulverized coal and unburned carbon (UC) level of fly ash are reviewed. A fully software-controlled LIBS equipment comprising a self-cleaning device for on-line coal quality monitoring in power plants is developed. The system features an automated sampling device, which is capable of elemental (C, Ca, Mg, Ti, Si, H, Al, Fe, S, and organic oxygen) and proximate analysis (Q(ad) and A(ad)) through optimal data processing methods. An automated prototype LIBS apparatus has been developed for possible application to power plants for on-line analysis of UC level in fly ash. New data processing methods are proposed to correct spectral interference and matrix effects, with the accuracy for UC level analysis estimated to be 0.26%.