There are several different types of coal analyzers.

In contrast coal analyzers provide analysis information each minute on material being transported by conveyor either at the mine or the power plant.

Coal analyzers were first introduced in the early 1980s with the US and Australia leading the way.

Other instrumentation found in plants include density gauges and online elemental coal analyzers.

It is also used with online elemental coal analyzers and bulk material analyzers in the coal and cement industries.

Coal analyzers are used by coal producers, coal preparation plants and coal-fired power plants to determine coal quality in real time.

The demand for coal analyzers has been highest in the US, owing to the need to control sulfur as mandated by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977.

Evans, Michael, "Cost Justification for a Coal Analyzer Installation", International On-Line Coal Analyzer Technical Conference, St. Louis, November 8-10, 2004.

Snider, Kurt, "Using An On-Line Elemental Coal Analyzer to Reduce Lost Generation Due to Slagging", International On-Line Coal Analyzer Technical Conference, St. Louis, November 8-10, 2004.