The occurrence of trace elements in coal and their concentration ranges are presented. The paper describes the origin of trace elements in coal, modes of accumulation, binding with mineral and organic matter as well as their behaviour during combustion. The presence of trace elements of coal origin should be taken into consideration when evaluating harmful impact of coal-fired fewnaces due to significant concentration of fly ash from combustion in suspended dust On the basis of analytical data emission of 15 trace elements from coal combustion in Poland is presented.

The paper presents the results of the research on particle size distribution of dust emitted from drybottom boilers burning pulverized coal. A cascade impactor separated fly-ash particles into seven size fractions with the following equivalent aerodynamic diameters: 0.38; 0.88; 1.9; 2.9; 6.3; 10.0 μm. Cumulative size-specific emission factors were determined. In order to obtain some information on the trace elements distribution in the fly-ash size-fraction concentration of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, Sr, Pb, Br was determined in the samples collected. The elemental analysis was performed by Proton Induced X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy. Small mass loadings obtained from the cascade impactor, which are often insufficient for other analytical methods, are well within the sensitivity range of the PIXE/RBS analysis. The results of the research concerning one of the domestic power stations arc presented as an example.