The amenability of some Witbank bituminous ultra fine coals to binderless briquetting

Five ultra fine bituminous coals from the Witbank coalfield were studied. Selected chemical and physical properties, coal petrographic characteristics and mineralogical compositions of the coals were measured. The coals were compacted, using a briquetting press, at various feed moisture contents. The formed briquettes were then tested for compressive strength and water resistance and the values correlated with the coal characteristics and the briquetting conditions. The coals were found to be amenable to conventional binderless briquetting. The bonding in the briquettes was found to be due mainly due to the impurities in the coals, particularly kaolinite. This may add a new perspective to the fundamentals of the binderless briquetting of bituminous coals.     

印尼褐煤无黏结剂型煤自燃与燃烧特性研究

在内辊式高压型煤机上将一种印度尼西亚褐煤压制成高强度的无黏结剂型煤,对其比表面积、孔容积和表面官能团进行分析,测定了型煤的相对着火温度和绝热氧化升温速率,研究了其热解和燃烧行为特性.结果表明,印尼褐煤在干燥和高压成型过程中,发生了孔的收缩和崩塌,特别是微孔收缩程度要更大一些;干燥和成型过程中有羟基、羰基和羧基含氧官能团的分解;经过提质处理后,褐煤的自燃着火倾向降低,热解和燃烧反应性降低.     

Effect of the pyrolysis process on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of smokeless fuel briquettes

A greater understanding of the physics and chemistry of lignite–biomass briquetting could lead to better briquette performances and cost-effectiveness making these fuels more attractive to both producers and consumers. With this aim, chars obtained from different low rank coals and biomasses (sawdust, straw, olive stone and almond shell) were used to prepare smokeless fuel briquettes and their physicochemical and mechanical properties were studied depending on the pyrolysis conditions. Coal was pyrolysed at temperatures between 500 °C and 700 °C and the temperature chosen to carry out pyrolysis was 600 °C due to the lowest content of sulphur per thermie in the pyrolized material. In order to study the influence of the pyrolysis process on the properties of the briquettes, biomasses were pyrolysed separately at 400 °C and 600 °C and together with the coal at 600 °C of temperature. The materials pyrolysed at 600 °C showed a lower content of volatile matter and a higher calorific value than the standard levels reported in the literature for materials to prepare smokeless briquettes. The briquettes were prepared by mixing the pyrolysed materials with humates as binder and Ca(OH)₂ as sulphur sorbent. The briquetting process was followed by FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), CO₂ adsorption and the mechanical properties were tested evaluating their impact resistance, water resistance and compression strength. The best briquettes with respect to the mechanical properties were those prepared with coal and biomasses co-pyrolysed at 600 °C although some of them fixed a higher percentage of sulphur during pyrolysis due to the metal content of the biomasses.     

Briquetting of Istanbul-Kemerburgaz lignite of Turkey

A lignite sample from the Kemerburgaz-Istanbul area was briquetted with or without binder material. Molasses and Şirnak (Turkey) asphaltite were used as binder materials at different ratios. The effects of the moisture content of the lignite and the concentration of the binder on briquette strength were examined at two different briquetting pressures, 150 and 200 MPa. Briquetting of lignite samples without binder material gave products with low strength and low water resistance. The maximum briquette strength was achieved with a lignite moisture content of 13% and an asphaltite concentration of 12% at a briquetting pressure of 200 MPa. The strongest briquettes obtained with lignite-molasses blends were achieved with a molasses concentration of 12% and a lignite moisture content of 8% at a briquetting pressure of 200 MPa.     

干化污泥型煤抗压强度的实验研究

利用微波干燥脱水污泥制备型煤粘结剂,与粉煤混合压制成型煤。通过正交试验考察成型压力、干化污泥含水率及添加比例对型煤抗压强度的影响。结果表明：微波干化的污泥型煤较粘土型煤的抗压强度大;成型压力、干化污泥含水率及添加比例均为型煤抗压强度的显著因素,各因素优化范围：成型压力为25～30MPa,干化污泥水分为40％左右,干化污泥添加比例为20％～30％。     

Briquetting of coal products with a binding agent

Experimental data on the briquetting of waste coals different in moisture contents and physical states with a binding agent for power-generating purposes are presented. A method for decreasing the moisture content of the briquetted waste coal is described. The proximate analysis of fuel briquettes from experimental batches is reported. A mechanism is proposed for the strengthening of fuel compositions.     

Densification of water hyacinth — basic data

The briquette-forming ability of water hyacinth (WH), a plant with prolific growth, to produce a fuel wood substitute or for further processing has been investigated. Compared to straw and sawdust, WH can undergo binderless briquetting. Pressure, water content and temperature have a strong influence on the briquette-forming ability of WH. Laboratory trials showed that optimal conditions are achieved between compaction pressures of 80 and 200 MPa, temperatures between 70 and 80 °C and water contents between 8 and 12 wt%. Die ram-extrusion and pellet-mill briquetting presses allow the compaction of WH with acceptable throughputs and with a specific energy consumption of 180 MJ t^?1. The produced briquettes, with a density of 1400kg m^?3 and a compression rate of 1:14, proved to be abrasive-resistant and showed an acceptable compressive strength. The re-expansion behaviour of the briquettes was moderate. The extractable matter of WH does not contribute to the briquette strength. No experimental indication of lignin softening could be found.     

无烟煤的物理性质对其型煤抗压强度的影响

以无烟粉煤为原料,采用有黏结剂冷压成型方法,制备了几种型煤产品,并对无烟粉煤的显微硬度、可磨性、真密度、视密度、孔隙率最高内在水分和孔结构等物理性质进行了分析测试,重点研究了无烟煤的物理性质对型煤抗压强度的影响.结果表明,随无烟煤的反射率、显微硬度、真密度和视密度等指标的增加与可磨性的降低,型煤抗压强度均显示出增加的趋势,这与高压无黏结剂成型时,型煤强度与显微硬度关系相反.无烟煤的物理性质体现了煤的变质程度,因此,型煤抗压强度也与无烟煤的变质程度密切相关.研究结果还表明,不同煤阶无烟煤的孔结构分布和最高内在水分不尽相同,都影响无烟煤被黏结剂黏结的程度,从而影响无烟煤型煤的抗压强度.     

煤与粘结剂的相互作用和型煤抗压强度的关系

煤的润湿性与型煤抗压强度相关。用于表征煤的润湿性方法有煤与淀粉粘结剂的接触角、粘合功、煤的润湿临界表面张力等。研究证明,随着煤化程度的升高,煤与淀粉粘结剂接触角变小,粘合功增加,粉煤的润湿性改善,型煤抗压强度得以提高。另外,煤的润湿临界表面张力越大,煤的润湿性越好,型煤抗压强度也就越高。     

褐煤干燥提质和无粘结剂成型技术的研究现状及进展

论述了褐煤中水分的存在形式,即褐煤中的水分主要由外在水分、内在水分和结晶水组成,其中外在水分较易脱除。介绍了国内外褐煤干燥提质技术、针对高水分褐煤干燥研发的新技术及与褐煤干燥相关的其他提质技术的研究进展,其中,新研发的褐煤干燥技术中,过热蒸汽流化床褐煤干燥技术(WTA)具有效率高、能耗低、安全等特点,在单位能耗方面具有明显优势。通过对褐煤无粘结剂型煤的成型工艺及型煤耐水性能的试验研究,说明褐煤无粘结剂成型技术制备的型煤样品质量良好,吸收水分的速率大大降低,热解与燃烧活性也有所下降。最后分析了褐煤无粘结剂成型机理,即主要有沥青假说、腐植酸假说、毛细孔假说、胶体假说和分子粘合假说5种。     

Mathematical model of the strength of briquettes as a function of the grain size and moisture content of the material

Analysis of the process of structure formation due to briquetting of fine materials with participation of a liquid phase (water) and optimization of the process with the help of a mathematical model of formation of strength in artificial structures is of considerable practical interest. Experimental studies and computations are used for constructing two mathematical models of the strength of briquettes, which allow for the composite action of three factors, namely, the diameter of the particles of the material of the structure, its moisture content, and the proportion of the mechanisms of strength formation (capillary, molecular, and propping). The models are adequate for experimental data covering the range of particle sizes from ∼0.02 to 3 mm and the range of moisture contents from WMH to W MCM. The models make it possible to predict the strength of artificial structures, i.e., briquettes, depending on the particle size of the initial material and on its moisture content within the specified range of variation of initial data. __________ Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 4, pp. 44–50, April, 2007.     

Strength of briquettes in relation to compaction pressure with variable linear dimensions of particles and moisture content

On the basis of experimental data for briquetting of oxidized nickel ore with a clay component mathematical models have been developed taking account of all forms of particle interaction. These equations may be used in predicting the strength of artificial structures (briquettes) prepared from fine materials. The mathematical models developed connecting factors of processed material properties with compaction parameters promote to a considerable extent solutions for questions of controlling preparation of fine materials before the widespread method of caking, i.e. briquetting. Strength formation for artificial structures is a complex process whose control may be accomplished in different production stages. __________ Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 8, pp. 31–36, August, 2007 This communication is a development of the previous one: L. I. Polyanskii, V. P. Puzanov, and V. A. Kobelev, “Mathematical model of the strength of briquettes in relation to material brittleness and moisture content,” Novye Ogneupory, No. 4, 44–50 (2007).     

Fuel briquettes from biomass–lignite blends

In this study, a western Turkish lignite (Kütahya-Seyitömer) was blended with some biomass samples such as molasses, pine cone, olive refuse, sawdust, paper mill waste, and cotton refuse, and these blends was used in the production of fuel briquettes. Blends were subjected to briquetting pressures between 50 and 250 MPa; the ratio of biomass to lignite was changed between 0 and 30 wt.%. The mechanical strength of obtained briquettes was investigated considering shatter index and compressive strength. Effects of the ratio of biomass to lignite and applied pressure on the strength of the briquettes were examined. This study indicated that the mechanical strength of the briquettes produced from Kütahya-Seyitömer lignite can be improved by adding some biomass samples. For example, the presence of paper mill waste increased the shatter index of the briquettes obtained. Similarly, sawdust and paper mill waste increased compressive strength of the briquettes. Water resistance of the briquettes can be augmented by adding olive refuse, cotton refuse, pine cone or paper mill waste.     

影响泥炭土型煤机械强度因素分析

本文分析了孔隙率、含水量、制棒压强、加碱量等因素对泥炭土型煤机械强度的影响。     

Studies related to the structure and reactivity of coals : 18. The chemical structures of products from reactions of a suite of higher rank Australian coals

The structure of the oils, asphaltenes and residues obtained by the thermal reactions of a suite of Australian higher rank coals under hydrogen or nitrogen have been studied by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The host-guest model that has been used to describe the structure of Australian brown coals cannot be applied directly to the higher rank coals. Evidence is provided that suggests that a modified version of the model may be of use in describing the structure of some subbituminous coals. The methodology has proved to be useful in the understanding of structural features of coals which are often not rank dependent, e.g. Callide coal (ABL2), a subbituminous coal, has been shown to have characteristics of both very high and also low rank coals.     

Mechanical/thermal dewatering of lignite. Part 3: Physical properties and pore structure of MTE product coals

The mechanical thermal dewatering (MTE) process has been shown to effectively dewater high moisture content low rank coals via the application of mechanical force at elevated temperatures.Using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) as an investigative tool, this study examines how MTE processing conditions, such as temperature and pressure, affect the compressibility, pore size distribution, apparent (skeletal) density and shrinkage behaviour of three low rank coals sourced from Australia, Greece and Germany. As both pore filling and sample compression occurred at high mercury intrusion pressures, all MIP data were corrected for compression effects by using compressibility values derived from mercury extrusion data.The MTE process is shown to produce a low porosity coal, which, depending upon the processing conditions used, undergoes further shrinkage upon oven drying at 105 °C. An increase in MTE temperature (above about 85 °C) led to an increase in mesopore volume, which is caused by a hardening of the coal structure, leading to pore volume retention and a consequent reduction in percent shrinkage on oven drying. The increase in measured mesopore volume is also associated with an increase in measured surface area.The reverse trend is seen with increasing MTE pressure, where both the macro and mesopore volume decrease with pressure, causing the percent shrinkage to increase accordingly. This effect may be due to an increase in capillary forces caused by a decrease in the average pore diameter. The percent shrinkage increased up to a pore volume of about 0.1 cm³/g, beyond which no further reduction in pore volume was achieved. The decrease in mesopore volume is also associated with a decrease in measured surface area.Compressibility values derived from mercury extrusion data show that the MTE process has little impact on the network strength of the skeletal network structure of all three coals investigated. Likewise, the skeletal density remained relatively unchanged.The reduction in water content, pore volume and the changes in shrinkage behaviour under increasingly severe MTE conditions are suggestive of the physical changes that accompany increased coalification (rank) within the lignitic range.     

加压水蒸气下年轻煤脱氧改质的研究

年轻煤是煤液化的良好原料 ,但它的氧含量高增加了煤液化过程中无用的氢耗 ,对这些煤进行脱氧改质有重要的意义 .选择了四种年轻煤——霍林河、小龙潭、义马和神华煤在高压釜内水蒸气气氛下进行了脱氧改质的研究 .结果表明 ,处理后煤样的氧含量和含氧官能团降低显著 ,氧的脱除率最高达到了 2 0 .7% .此外 ,煤质还有一些其他的变化 ,如热值和碳含量有所提高 ,最高内在水分和挥发分降低 ,表明煤阶有所提高 .对煤中的总酸性基、羧基和酚羟基的化学分析显示 ,脱氧改质后煤样的羧基、酚羟基等含氧官能团明显降低 ,羧基和酚羟基的最高脱除率分别达到了78.5 %和 31 .3% ,达到了脱氧改质的目的 .     

Study on the structure and gasification characteristics of selected South African bituminous coals in fluidised bed gasification

The gasification characteristics of three South African bituminous coals were investigated in a bubbling fluidised bed reactor. The three coals are similar in rank, but two are inertinite-rich coals and the third has a high vitrinite content. The microstructural characteristics of the parent coals and their resultant chars were determined using XRD, FT-IR, Raman and petrographic analysis. The microstructural changes that occurred in the organic (maceral) and the inorganic (mineral) fractions of the selected coals were evaluated. The change in the carbon structure was correlated to the proportions of inertinite and vitrinite macerals in the coals. High vitrinite content resulted in an increase in the order of the disordered carbon structure after gasification and this leads to greater graphitised ordered carbon structures. While a high inertinite content resulted in low or no structural transformation of the chemical structure. The transformation of inorganic mineral constituents of the coal was correlated to the amount of inertinite present in the selected coals. Higher proportions of inertinite macerals and inertinitic chars resulted in higher proportions of melted minerals. Char samples with low proportions of organic matter resulted in higher proportion of melted minerals covering the char surface.     

Correspondence between the composition and plastic properties of British coals and the structural properties and reactivity of the corresponding cokes

The chemical composition and the physico-chemical properties of a suite of British coals, mainly of types 501/2 as defined by the NCB classification, but including some coals of higher and lower rank (NCB classification 204,401/2 and 601/2), were comprehensively investigated. Each coal was subsequently carbonized under controlled conditions of size distribution, bulk density and temperature on the 250 kg scale and the tensile strength, coke structure and coke reactivity were determined. This data highlighted the significance of the atomic ratio of the oxygen and carbon of the coals and the lack of relations between coal properties and coke structure and strength. As regards coke reactivity only complex relations with coal properties could be found, with coal rank, the oxygen/carbon ratio and the chlorine content being of greatest importance.     

Effect of extrusion conditions on the thermophysical and mechanical properties of fuel peat

The effect of extrusion conditions on the properties of peat briquettes was experimentally studied with the use of an industrial crank press with an open matrix. Regression equations were obtained for determining the density, mechanical strength in axial compression, hardness, and water absorption of fuel peat as functions of compacting pressure and feed moisture content. The dependences of the density, mechanical compression strength, and hardness of briquettes on the compacting pressure have a threshold behavior, which is responsible for their maximally accessible values at a specified level of humidity. Conditions for the production of fuel were optimized to be consistent with the most effective regimes of extrusion from an energy point of view.