Abstract: A method for obtaining devolatilized coal, utilizing a multi-zone electrostatic precipitator, from the air-borne effluent streams of coal fired boilers includes the steps of directing an effluent stream, generated by the combustion of coal and carrying a plurality of particles including carbon and ash, to an electrostatic precipitator, wherein the plurality of particles include first and second pluralities of particles including a first plurality of particles having a greater carbon to ash weight ratio than the second plurality of particles; de-energizing a first zone of the electrostatic precipitator and collecting a plurality of particles that exit the precipitator from the first zone, the plurality of particles collected at the first zone being substantially composed of the first plurality of particles.