Distribution of phosphorus in Chinese coal

The phosphorus content in Chinese coal varieties was studied in 1117 coal samples from Chinese Coal Resource Database and in new coal samples. The results show that the weighted mean content of phosphorus in Chinese coal is 224×10−6. About 90% of the phosphorus content of Chinese coal is below 500×10−6 and belong to lower or super lower content. The phosphorus content in coal found in south China is higher than in north China. In this paper, the distribution of phosphorus in Chinese coal from different coal-accumulated areas, belonging to different geological ages, and of different classes is discussed. The highest phosphorus content is found in coal from south China (Jiangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunan and Fujian provinces) belonging to the Triassic period. The relativities between the phosphorus content and other factors were analyzed. The results indicate that the phosphorus content of Chinese coal has no significant correlation with sulfur content, forms of sulfur, ash content and ash component. The correlation between phosphorus and strontium or fluorine is obviously higher than that with other elements in Chinese coal.