Experimental study on the effects of drying methods on the stabilities of lignite

The drying processes are always applied prior to the transportation or utilization of lignite, and result in notable changes in the stabilities of lignite. In this paper, the study on the effects of nitrogen and MTE drying process on the physico-chemical properties and stabilities of Zhaotong lignite was carried out. The briquettes produced by MTE drying in this study were 150 mm in dimension, and so had a much larger particle size than nitrogendried samples. Nitrogen adsorption, mercury intrusion porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy all suggested that drying was accompanied by the transformation of larger pores into smaller ones. Compared to nitrogen drying, the pore structures could be stabilized by the MTE process. The soluble salts were removed during MTE drying which resulted in the decrease in ash and the concentrations of some of the major metals.The removal of water enhanced the hydrophilicity of nitrogen dried samples, but did not affect the hydrophilicity of MTE dried samples. The moisture holding capacity of MTE dried samples reduced faster than nitrogen dried samples with the decrease of residual moisture content. Themoisture readsorption processes of MTE dried sampleswere strongly inhibited due to themuch larger particle size of sample produced byMTE drying than nitrogen drying. The susceptibility to spontaneous combustion, indicated by cross point temperature and self-heating tests, of nitrogen and MTE dried samples increased with the decrease of residual moisture content. The MTE dried samples are more liable to spontaneous combustion than nitrogen dried samples with the same residual moisture and particle size. However, the larger particle size of the MTE product made it more stable with respect to spontaneous combustion and also moisture readsorption.     

Analysis of D2 law in case of Shengli lignite drying under inert and uninert environment

Shengli lignite coal, originated from inner Mongolia China, contains significantly high amount of moisture (more than 30%) which can cause spontaneous combustion or other application problems. Thus, it is of interest to understand the heat and mass transfer mechanism of the low-rank lignite drying under different drying environments such as N₂, CO₂, air, argon, and helium. In this study, fundamental drying experiments with different drying agents were performed on coal samples using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) method. Lignites with size of 0.045–0.075?mm were heated up from ambient temperature to a target temperature of 175°C under different environments at heating rates of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 °C/min, respectively. It was found that thermal conductivity of drying media, heating rate, and initial moisture content are three most significant factors affecting lignite drying process. The highest moisture release rate and the lowest T_peak (when maximum moisture release rate occurred) were observed when drying with helium due to its highest evaporation constant (i.e., highest thermal conductivity). Moreover, higher heating rate and moisture content resulted in higher evaporation rate and T_peak. In the meantime, the classical D² law, which is used to simulate the liquid fuel droplet combustion, was further developed to describe the “group effect” of moisture evaporation process of solid fuel during drying. The D² law well explains the experiment results. Finally, the structures of the dried lignite samples under different drying mediums were investigated through scanning electron microscopy studies. It was found that lignite coals shrank and became more compact when dried out, especially with drying agent CO₂.     

褐煤低温干燥特性的实验研究

中国褐煤储量丰富,但较高水分极大地限制了其开采和利用,对其进行脱水提质是解决褐煤高效利用的关键。通过热重分析仪（TGA）对HL和YN的不同粒径褐煤,分别在50,80和110℃等温干燥2h。结果表明：在每个干燥温度下煤样都能达到恒重,随着温度的升高煤样总失重增加,说明煤中水分与煤表面之间具有不同的结合强度;随着水分的降低,水分蒸发所需能量增加,煤水之间的相互作用加强,其中包括氢键和微孔对水的束缚力。粒径0．250～0．150mm、水分26．61％的HL褐煤在50c（二干燥后,水分降至6．96％,此时水分以分子层水的形式存在;干燥温度升至110℃时,煤中水分并未明显降低,说明煤中官能团与水分子间形成的氢键对水分有强烈的吸附作用。HL褐煤50℃干燥后,0．150～0．074mm和0．074～0．038mm煤样残留水分分别为6．52％和3．93％,均低于0．250～0．150mm煤样的6．96％,说明0．250～0．150mm煤样中不能脱除的残留水是孔隙水,被禁锢在狭小空间内。     

Effect of moisture distribution in pore structure on fragmentation characteristics of lignite

ABSTRACT

The experiments were performed to explore the effect of moisture on fragmentation properties of Mengdong (MD) lignite, Xiao Longtan (XLT) lignite, and Zhaotong (ZT) lignite with temperature of 200°C and particle size of 13–10?mm using the fixed bed reactor. It showed fragmentation ratio and pulverization ratio increased, and particle size variation ratio decreased with an increase in initial moisture of lignite. The distribution of moisture in pores under different initial moisture contents was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance. The distribution of moisture in pores between raw and dried lignite was different. The water content in macropores rapidly decreased, but water content in mesopores remained constant in prior period and then slightly decreased with the residence time increasing. There was a good connectivity between macropores and mesopores. The water in micropores, which hardly influenced fragmentation, was generally closed and not favored for the mobility of water. The water in macropores had a significant effect on fragmentation of lignite. However, when the moisture content in macropores was less than 0.10?g/g coal, the degree of fragmentation became little.     

Effect of Drying Conditions on Moisture Re-Adsorption Performance of Dewatered Lignite

In order to improve the drying efficiency of lignite and restrain the moisture re-adsorption of dewatered coal, the drying characteristics of typical Chinese lignite, the re-adsorption performances of dewatered samples and the change in pore structure throughout the entire processes were investigated in this study. Lignite samples with four different particle size fractions were dried in a fixed-bed reactor in the temperature range 60–160°C. The re-adsorbing moisture behaviors of dewatered coal samples containing different water contents were investigated at temperatures of 20–40°C and humidities of 55–95%. The changes in the pore structure of raw coal and different dried samples were measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and the relations between their re-adsorption performance and change in pore structure were explored. The moisture removal yields of lignite increased with an increase in drying time and temperature and was close to 100% above 120°C and over 100% after holding 40 and 15 min at temperatures of 140 and 160°C due to the release of CO₂ from the decomposing carboxyl group in the coal matrix. The re-adsorbed moisture content in dewatered coal was influenced by drying temperature and coal particle size through varying pore structure. The temperature and relative humidity in the re-adsorbing process were the main factors that influenced the moisture re-adsorption capacity of dewatered lignite, in which the re-adsorbing temperature mainly operated by varying the bonding ability of water on the surface of dewatered coal, and the relative humidity was connected with the pore structure as well. The mesopore was the main factor that influenced the re-adsorption of dewatered coal and the re-adsorption of moisture in dewatered coal at 100°C was highest due to the narrow range of the pore radius and because the relative volume ratio of 5 to 50 nm mesopore (above 91%) was high. The water loss yield of lignite with smaller particle size was higher due to its larger pore volume and surface area, but its re-adsorption capacity was lower because of lower volume ratio of 5 to 50 nm mesopore volume in dewatered coal obtained from the smaller size lignite.     

Thermal fragmentation and pulverization properties of lignite in drying process and its mechanism

The fragmentation and pulverization properties of lignite in the different drying processes were investigated in this study. Lignite particles were dried at different temperatures (100, 140, and 180°C), particle sizes (6–25?mm) and drying time (0–60?min), and the parameters of fragmentation index (S_f) and pulverization ratio (β) were used to describe the fragmentation and pulverization properties of lignite. The results indicated the fragmentation index increased from 3.10 to 30.41 with the increase in temperature and particle size. Pulverization ratio increased slightly from 0.39 to 0.63% with temperature, and it decreased from 0.58 to 0.36% with particle size. Fragmentation index and pulverization ratio increased rapidly from 1.20 to 5.50 and 0.05 to 0.47%, respectively, and then tended to grow slowly with drying time. Fragmentation index was linearly related to the loss of moisture content. Different kinds of fragmentation and pulverization occurred at the same time: fine particles exfoliated from the surface, and there were also fragmentation at the outer zone or the core of the particles to produce the smaller particles. The evolutions of macropores might be the main reason of thermal fragmentation.     

Efficient drying and oxygen-containing functional groups characteristics of lignite during microwave irradiation process

To remove the high moisture of ZhaoTong lignite, the efficient drying characteristics and oxygen-containing functional groups changes in lignite during microwave irradiation process were highlighted in this study. As the microwave absorbers, lignite char and NaNO₃ were added to microwave drying of ZhaoTong lignite. The minimum chemical oxygen demand of waste water generated from microwave drying process of lignite was 99.89?mg?O₂?L^?1. The effects of microwave power, lignite mass, the weight ratio of lignite char to lignite and NaNO₃ content on the drying rate, and moisture diffusion coefficient of lignite were investigated during lignite microwave irradiation process. It was found that the drying rate and moisture diffusion coefficient of lignite increased with increasing microwave power, the weight ratio of lignite char to lignite and NaNO₃ content, but decreased with increasing lignite mass. Lignite char and NaNO₃ were mixed with lignite that can enhance the instantaneous surface temperature of lignite sample under microwave irradiation. Compared with addition of lignite char to lignite, the addition of NaNO₃ to lignite can decrease the unit electric power consumption of moisture evaporating. And the minimum unit electric power consumption of moisture evaporating was 9.44?Wh?g^?1. The FTIR technology was used to investigate the oxygen-containing functional groups changes in lignite during microwave drying process. The oxygen-containing functional groups of lignite were effectively removed with increasing microwave power.     

Combined conventional thermal and microwave drying process for typical Chinese lignite

A combined conventional and microwave drying process for Ximeng lignite was investigated in this paper. Samples were firstly dehydrated by hot air to achieve a conversion moisture content, and then were managed to final moisture content by microwave drying. Results showed that the drying rate was significantly improved in the decreasing rate period by microwave drying, approximately 3–5 times faster than that of conventional drying. Finally, the orthogonal test was used to clarify the effects of each factor on the energy consumption, and the magnitude ranking order was conversion moisture content?>?microwave power?>?hot air temperature.     

褐煤深度脱水的实验研究

针对褐煤低温烟气干燥技术脱水幅度难以提高,发热量增加不多等问题,提出了低温干燥与深度脱水的联合工艺。研究了不同干燥温度、干燥时间和煤样粒度对褐煤深度脱水效果的影响,结果表明:褐煤深度脱水适宜的干燥温度为500～800℃,较为适宜的干燥时间为80 s左右,当粒度小于50 mm时,干燥产物发热量随粒度变化不大。最后提出了褐煤深度脱水最佳工艺条件和参数,即当预干燥煤的Mar约为18%,煤样粒度为-50 mm,干燥温度为700℃,干燥时间为80 s时,深度脱水产物的Mar为8%,Vdaf在46%左右,折算Qnet,ar约为21 kJ/g。褐煤深度脱水促进了褐煤发热量的进一步提高,实现了褐煤资源的增值,研究结果为褐煤低温干燥与深度脱水联合工艺技术方案的确定奠定了基础。     

Transformation of the reabsorption characteristics of lignite treated by low and high temperature drying process

Abstract

The reabsorption characteristics of the lignite treated by low and high temperature drying process were addressed in the paper. The information about the moisture form, functional groups, effective water-filled porosities and equilibrium moisture content of the lignite before and after the drying process was investigated using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and a self-made reabsorption device, respectively. The results show that the low drying temperature (140, 190, 230?°C, 10?min, N₂) has little impact on the effective water-filled porosities of the resulted samples, whereas it has a great influence on the main oxygen-containing functional groups, which amount firstly decreases and then increases with the drying temperature increasing. In the case of the lignite samples dried under high-temperature (600, 700, 800?°C, 30?s, N₂), the amount of the effective water-filled porosity of the sample decreases and the amount of oxygen-containing functional groups increases as the temperature increasing. The reabsorption capability of the high temperature dried sample is much lower than that of the sample treated under low drying temperature. The reabsorption characteristics of the low-temperature dried samples are affected by the amount of the oxygen-containing functional groups, while the effective water-filled porosity is main factor for the lignite samples derived from high temperature drying process. Moreover, the work gives a good evidence that the high-temperature drying process is an effective choose for lignite upgrading.     

微波干燥工艺参数对玉米爆腰率的影响

玉米收获后需干燥至安全水分后储藏,干燥方式及合理的工艺过程对干燥品质有很大的影响,玉米干燥后的爆腰率是其品质的重要指标。利用自制的微波干燥试验测试系统对玉米进行干燥试验,得出了玉米微波干燥的特征曲线及干燥温度特性,探讨了三个主要工艺参数单位功率、干燥最高温度、平均失水率对爆腰率的影响。实验结果表明,玉米微波干燥中按失水率的变化可以分为预热、恒速、降速三个阶段,预热段较长,水分主要在恒速段排出;温度经历了上升和趋于稳定的过程;爆腰率随各参数的增大而升高。得到的初步结论是：玉米微波干燥最好在单位干燥功率0.3W／g以下、干燥最高温度不超过70℃、平均失水率不大于0.2％／min的条件下进行。     

不同干燥程度胜利褐煤燃烧与自燃特性

为了探究高水分褐煤干燥后的燃烧与自燃特性变化,采用一维火焰炉、煤粉着火炉以及自燃试验台对不同干燥程度的胜利褐煤进行了试验研究。试验结果表明,试验样品的着火温度随着干燥程度的增加而降低,随着风煤比的增加而增加,煤粉细度同样会对着火温度产生影响。在燃用干燥褐煤过程中宜采用较高一次风率以提高制粉系统的安全性。胜利褐煤及其干燥褐煤均属于极易燃尽煤种,燃尽率均在99.4%以上,水分的变化对燃尽率影响不大。建议胜利褐煤与20%水分干燥褐煤的运行氧含量控制在3.5%左右。随着干燥程度的加深和粒径的减小,褐煤越容易自燃。胜利褐煤干燥到20%以下可能有自燃的风险。     

Comparison of drying methods on physical and chemical properties of Shengli lignite

The physicochemical properties of Shengli lignite dewatered by three methods in hot air, microwave, and vacuum conditions were investigated. The effects of drying method on the coal pore structure, surface morphology, surface carbon-containing groups, and moisture readsorption performance of dewatered lignite were studied by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and dynamic water vapor sorption analysis (DVS). The results indicate that a large quantity of semi-open micropores and open-ended mesopores with a slit-like or cylinder shape exist in lignite. The specific surface area and total pore volume value of dewatered lignite decrease as follows: microwave-dried lignite (MD) > vacuum-dried lignite (VD) > hot air–dried lignite (HAD), which is consistent with MIP results. SEM images show that lignite dried by different methods is characterized by varied surface morphology. The XPS results reveal that VD has the highest content of C–C/C–H and the lowest content of C–O, and HAD has a higher content of C–O and a higher surface oxidation degree (α) than MD. In addition, the moisture readsorption capability of the dewatered lignite follows the sequence MD > VD > HAD.     

EVOLUTION LIGNITE MESOPORE STRUCTURE DURING DRYING. EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND HEATING TIME

The knowledge of the intrinsic pore structure of coals is significant in elucidating the kinetics of mass transport and chemical reaction that leads to design of more efficient coal combustion and conversion equipment. The results of pore structure studies of Greek lignite are reported in this work. Isothermal drying of Greek lignite samples, under vacuum, caused mesopore structure evolution despite the severe (∼50%) particle size contraction due to heating. Mesopore volume and surface area were increased as the drying temperature was raised to 200°C while further drying up to 250°C caused a mesopore volume and surface area decrease. Lignite drying at 100°C for up to 3 h resulted in a monotonic increase of the mesopore structure properties while heating for a longer period i.e., 6 h, despite a slight increase of weight loss, caused pore volume and surface area reduction. Nitrogen sorption (77 K) hysteresis data obtained for partially dried samples have been processed to deduce BET surface area and pore size distributions (PSD) by using both the Roberts and a new method based on a Corrugated Pore Structure Model (CPSM-nitrogen) methods. The latter method was applied successfully in hysteresis loop simulations and predicted pore surface areas consistent with the respective BET values. Bimodal PSD have been detected with one peak at 3 nm and the second at 20 nm while surface area varied over the range 2.98-5.30 m²/g. Dry Greek lignite has shown a higher mesopore volume than that of several American and Canadian coals of varying rank. Mesopore volume distribution of dry Greek lignite, obtained from nitrogen sorption data, agree well with those deduced from mercury penetration data corrected for coal compressibility.     

褐煤微波干燥提质生产线的多级功率控制系统研究

与传统的蒸发干燥工艺相比,微波干燥技术采用微波辐射的方式,具有内外同时加热、加热速度快等特点,使得褐煤干燥提质的过程耗能小、效率高、无污染。但是,在微波干燥褐煤的过程中易出现热过度和热失控的情况,会导致褐煤自燃,甚至爆炸,给生产线带来极大损失。为了实现微波干燥过程中褐煤温度的最佳控制,提出了一种基于褐煤含水率的目标温度范围动态调节方法。在该方法的基础上结合微波干燥腔的建模仿真及现场取样数据的分析,构建了一套生产线中多级微波腔的微波功率主动协调控制系统,以温度和反射系数作为输入参数,通过PID控制模型来动态调节微波源的输出功率。将该系统安装于南京三乐公司在内蒙古海拉尔建立的微波干燥褐煤生产线上进行测试,结果表明,该系统能够对各级微波腔内褐煤的温度范围精准控制,保证生产的安全性,并且将褐煤的含水率控制在10%以内。     

Investigation of combustion reactivity and NO emission characteristics of chars obtained from the devolatilization of raw and partially dried lignite

In an attempt to achieve the clean and efficient utilization of lignite, drying pre-treatment was performed in this study before lignite combustion. The combustion reactivity and NO emission characteristics of the partially dried lignite samples in the char combustion stage were investigated by means of TG and isothermal combustion tests, and the reactivity could be summarized as the following order: L1>L0.5>raw>L3>LT>L5 (chars obtained from the devolatilization of the raw and partially dried coals at 378 K for 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 120 minutes) and the NO conversion ratio of L1 was the lowest. When the moisture content in the coal particles was relatively high (19.68%-35.84%), the drying treatment could increase the combustion reactivity and inhibit NO emission in the char combustion stage; When the moisture content was within a relatively low range (0.17%-19.68%), the moisture removal had negative effects on the reactivity and NO emission in the char combustion stage. The surface behaviour and microstructure of the raw coal char and chars derived from the partially dried coals were clarified by temperature programmed desorption/reduction (TPD/TPR) and Raman spectroscopy. The results illustrated that L1 derived from L_c1 (19.68%) was the most reactive sample with the largest amount of C(O) on the particle surface. There were also more reactive aromatic structures in L1 than other samples. Compared with direct combustion or excessive drying treatment, lignite should be dried to a certain degree (19.68%) for optimized lignite combustion.     

Experimental study on three-stage microwave-assisted fluidized bed drying of Shengli lump lignite

The drying characteristics of Shengli lump lignite in a three-stage microwave-assisted fluidized bed dryer (MFBD) are investigated in this study. The fluidized bed was operated with a continuous feed in the modes with one to three stages. The effects of microwave power and microwave time on the drying rate and fragmentation rate are studied. The drying rate of Shengli lump lignite increased with increasing microwave power. The fragmentation rate depended on microwave power, microwave time, and final moisture content. The fragmentation rate of dried lignite was in the range of 3–15%. Furthermore, an increase in fragmentation rate at a high microwave power correlates with an increase of the drying time. Pore size distribution in the lignite was determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP method). With increasing microwave power, total pore volume significantly decreased and average pore diameter was nearly unchanged.     

Experimental study of thermal fragmentation of lignite in drying process

Abstract

This paper investigated the thermal fragmentation of three lignite samples with temperature of 100?°C–200?°C and drying time of 0–90?min using the fixed bed reactor. The effects of a variety of factors such as temperature and drying time on fragmentation ratio were studied. The results showed that fragmentation ratio was positively related to temperature and drying time, and the degree of fragmentation was different for different lignite samples. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the point load strength remarkably decreased with the increase of temperature and drying time. The fragmentation ratio as a function of point load strength represented that lignite with higher strength had a lower fragmentation ratio, and the possibility of secondary fragmentation of dried lignite decreased with the increase of point load strength. Fragmentation ratio decreased with the increase of lignite density. The mineral matters of lignite significantly had influence on fragmentation. The mass inhomogeneity degree was given to depict the mineral element compositions. A fragmentation prediction equation was established based on mass inhomogeneity degree, which was associated with moisture content and ash content.     

Drying of Solid Furl Particlbs in Hot Gases

ABSTRACT

Drying of solid fuel particles in hot gases ( 50–200c) is studied both theoretically and experimentally. The measurements are carried out by using a thermobalance reactor constructed for drying and pyrolysis studies of particles up to 30 mm by diameter. The model is based on the solution of the conservation equations for mass and energy. The drying is considered to consist of three successive periods: a short initial heating period, period of constant rate of drying and period of falling rate of drying. It is assumed that the particle moisture distribution is uniform during the constant rate of drying. Shrinking core model is assumed for the falling rate period. esides fuel particles, the model is applicable also for other solid particle drying processes. Model calculations are compared to measurements for wood chips. The model can predict the efFect of the main parameters reasonably well. These main parameters affecting the drying rate are: particle size, particle shape, initial particle moisture content, gas temperature and gas moisture content, emperature of the reactor walls and slip velocity. The irregular shape of practical fuel particles can approximately be simulated as one-dimensional case ( plate, cylinder, sphere) by using an equivalent volumc to surface area ratio.     

Experimental study and energy analysis on microwave-assisted lignite drying

For value-added utilization of high-humidity lignite, an investigation on its drying behavior was carried out, using a method of Microwave Thermogravimetric Analysis (MTGA). The characteristic of heat and mass transfer during drying process was studied. The effects of initial lignite mass on its drying process and energy consumption were also addressed. In addition, changes of lignite pore structure, sulfur content, and calorific value were tested after drying experiment. The results indicated that lignite microwave drying was divided into three stages: incubation stage, high-efficient dehydration stage, and deep dehydration stage. It was in agreement with the variation of temperature inside the sample. High-efficient dehydration stage and deep dehydration stage were separated at a critical moisture content. Microwave power and initial mass could be properly matched, which was effective to increase dehydration rate and decrease energy consumption. It was further noted that the best power for achieving the least energy consumption was in advance to that for achieving the greatest dehydration rate, especially for initial mass of 20?g and 25?g. The optimum power for initial mass of 20?g and 25?g was found to be 385?W and 539?W, respectively. Pore structure of dried lignite was basically deteriorated. Meanwhile, lignite microwave drying at 231?W for 6?min could lead to an increase of calorific value by 8.1% and a decrease of sulfur content by 68.6%.