Critical evaluation of sequential extraction and sink-float methods used for the determination of Ga and Ge affinity in lignite

The affinities of Ga and Ge in lignite were determined using sequential extraction (SE) and element affinity calculation (EAC) based on sink-float data. For this study a bulk lignite sample was fractioned into two sets. The first set of samples (A) consisted of the different grain sizes fractions; the second one set (B) was prepared by density fractionation. Sequential extractions [1] were performed on both sets of fractions with very good agreement between determined organic elements affinities (OEA of Ga evaluated from A data is 32%, from B data 35%; OEA of Ge evaluated from A data is 31% and from B data 26%). The data of B lignite fractions were evaluated using two element affinity calculations: (a) EAC (I) of Klika and Kolomazník [2] and b) newly prepared subroutine EAC (II) based on quantitative contents of lignite macerals and minerals. There was also good agreement between both methods obtained (OEA of Ga calculated by EAC (I) is 83% and by EAC (II) 77%; OEA of Ge calculated by EAC (I) is 89% and by EAC (II) 97%). The significant differences of organic elements affinities of Ga and Ge evaluated by sequential extraction and by element affinity calculation based on sink-float data are discussed.