A simple radiometric method of sulphur determination in coals, based on the XRF was tested. It is applicable in cases when the ratio of pyrite to total sulphur content in the measured sample is constant. The method was tested for lignite as well as for black coal samples. It was found, that in most cases the accuracy of sulphur determination was within 0.1-0.2% S abs. However, for some mines no correlation between the radiometric signal and the suphur content was observed.
Several mathematical models of calibration procedures for sulphur as well as for ash determinations were investigated. The form of the model depends on the chemical and mine-ralogical composition of the sample.
A computerized instrument allowing to perform measurements of ash and sulphur content in dried and powdered samples of coals within 2 minutes was elaborated.