Spontaneous combustion liability between coal seams: A thermogravimetric study

The spontaneous combustion liability of coal can be determined by using different experimental techniques. These techniques are well-known in their application, but no certain test method has become a standard to prove the reliability of all of them. A general characterisation which included proximate and ultimate analyses, petrographic properties and spontaneous combustion tests(thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) and the Wits-Ehac tests) were conducted on fourteen coal and four coal-shale samples.The spontaneous combustion liability of these samples collected between coal seams(above and below)were predicted using the TGA and the Wits-Ehac tests. Six different heating rates(3, 6, 9, 15, 20 and 25 °C/min) were selected based on the deviation coefficient to obtain different derivative slopes and a liability index termed the TG_(spc) index. This study found that coal and coal-shale undergo spontaneous combustion between coal seams when exposed to oxygen in the air. Their intrinsic properties and proneness towards spontaneous combustion differ considerably from one seam to the other. The Wits-Ehac test results agreed with the TG_(spc) results to a certain extent and revealed the incidents of spontaneous combustion in the coal mines.     

Influence of organic and inorganic properties of coal-shale on spontaneous combustion liability

Coal and coal-shale undergo low-temperature oxidation when exposed to air, potentially leading to spontaneous combustion. Coal-shale found in association with coal seams vary considerably in their intrinsic properties and spontaneous combustion liability index. Fourteen coal-shale samples collected from four different coal mines in Witbank Coalfield, South Africa, were experimentally investigated. The influence of coal-shale intrinsic properties and spontaneous combustion liability indices (determined by the Wits-Ehac Index and the Wits-CT Index) were established. The liability indices indicate relationships with the intrinsic factors and thus, identifying the major intrinsic factors affecting liability toward spontaneous combustion in these coal-shale samples. The XRF analysis indicated that the coal-shale samples are rich in SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃, while the XRD showed that same coal-shale samples are generally dominated with kaolinite and quartz. The coal-shale occurred in association with medium Rank C bituminous coal and contained varying proportion of macerals. The Wits-Ehac Index was unable to reliably determine liability indices of some coal-shale samples, and hence the Wits-CT Index was developed. The results obtained from the characterisation tests may be used as a tool to predict the spontaneous combustion liability in carbonaceous material and may serve as a reference when comparing coal-shale from different coal mines.     

Thermogravimetric study of the effect of a PVA oxygeninsulating barrier on the spontaneous combustion of coal

Coal samples in the air for three months were characterized by Thermogravlmetnc Analysts(TGA).The effect of a PVA oxygen-insulating barrier on the spontaneous combustion of coal was examined.The moisture loss activation energy,oxidation activation energy and combustion activation energy were calculated by an integral method using the Coats-Redfen formula.The results show that the tendency for spontaneous combustion of three coal samples(judged by the activation energy)falls in the order:CYW>YJL>SW.The oxidation activation energy and combustion activation energy of coal protected by the PVA oxygen-insulating barrier increased.A significant increase in the combustion activation energy was noted,especially for the CYW coal where the increase was 28.53 kJ/mol.Hence,oxidation of the protected coal samples was more difficult.The PVA oxygen-insulating barrier helps to prevent spontaneous combustion of the coal.     

Spontaneous combustion influenced by surface methane drainage and its prediction by rescaled range analysis

This study established numerical modeling using COMSOLTMto examine the influence of horizontal location and drainage ability of surface borehole on spontaneous combustion in longwall working face gob. Rescaled Range Analysis(R/S analysis) was employed to investigate the chaos characteristic of N_2/O_2 ratio from a surface borehole in 10416 working face gob, Yangliu Colliery, China. The simulation results show that there is always a circular ‘‘dissipation zone" around the drainage borehole and an elliptic ‘‘spontaneous combustion zone" in deep gob. Little influence was found on spontaneous combustion zone on the intake side of the gob but the width of spontaneous combustion zone in middle gob is enlarged, while the depth of spontaneous combustion zone near the return side is reduced. The R/S analysis indicates that the influence of surface borehole on spontaneous combustion can be divided into two stages by the chaos feature of N_2/O_2: safety drainage stage and spontaneous combustion initiating stage. It can be concluded that the methane drainage from gob through surface borehole can intervene in the distribution of spontaneous combustion zone in gob and the chaos feature of N_2/O_2 from surface borehole can effectively reflect coal spontaneous combustion condition in gob.     

Combustion Synthesis of TiB2 Ceramics Powder from B2O3-TiO2-Mg System in Air Atmosphere

TiB2 ceramics powder was syuthesized from B2O3 - TiO2 - Mg system. The effects of TiB2 addition as diluent on the conbustion synthesis process were investigated. The results of thermodynanmic calculation and experiments stow that the increase of TiBz content ranging from 0 to 20wt% can reduce the adiabatic temperature Tad from 3100 Kto 2896 K and combustion temperature T,. from 2139 K to 1621 K respectively. The particle size and half width of the particle distributhm are also increased with the addition of TiB2 increasing from 0 to 20wt% . The combustion product is a mixture of TiB2 , MgO , and other intermediate phases. The leached produet contains mairdy TiBz, TiOz and TiN, and its oxygen content is 7.77wt% .     

Synthesis and Performance of Transparent Casting Polyurethane Resin

A series of transparent casting polyurethane resins (TCPU) were synthesized from cycloaliphatic diisocyaruae ( 1PDI or H12 MDI) , polyol, chain extender, crosslinking agents, catalyst and special aids (T),which were characterized by FTIR. The thermal stabilities of the obtained TCPU were examined by DSC and TGA , the glass transition temperature ( Tg ) was in the range of 95- 110 ℃ , the initial decomposition temperature (5% weight loss) was 250-265 ℃, and 10% weight loss at the temperature was in the range of 260-286℃ in nitrogen atmosphere. The morphologies of the fractured surfaces of TCPU were revealed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The crystalline-amorphous characters of TCPU were studied by WAXD, the result shows that TCPU possesses amorphous glassy characters. The optical properties of TCPU were studied by a UV7500 visible light absorbance measurement. All the samples exhibited excellent optical properties and possessed light transmittarwe in the range of 91%-93% .     

不同褐煤在O_2/CO_2条件下燃烧特性的实验研究

利用热重分析仪,系统地研究了霍林河褐煤、印尼1#褐煤和印尼2#褐煤在空气和O2/CO2条件下的燃烧特性,比较了不同褐煤样品在燃烧过程中失重与温度和时间的关系.实验结果表明,褐煤在O2/CO2条件下的燃烧特性与空气条件下的燃烧特性存在明显的区别,富氧燃烧条件下CO2分压力的大小影响褐煤的反应活性.     

New technological partition for “three zones” spontaneous coal combustion in goaf

On detailed analysis basis of spontaneous coal combustion for the three zones in mine goaf, we use O₂ and CO concentrations to divide the three zones of the coal combustion. Through our experiment, we selected a typical working face and focused on the changes in gas concentrations. In order to overcome establishment limitations of actual layout location and underground conditions in a mine goaf, we based our observations on the three zones, combined them with numerical simulation, described the distribution and the changes in O₂ and CO concentrations during the coal spontaneous combustion in the goaf, which provided us with an understanding of the distribution of coal spontaneous combustion in the three zones in the form of maps. Essentially, our study summarizes the changes of O₂ and CO concentrations in the entire goaf and shows them to be in agreement with our observations at the scene. The study shows that it is feasible to divide the three zones, given our comprehensive targets of O₂, CO and our numerical simulation. This method avoids the limitation of dividing the three zones with a single target and the likely errors of observations at the scene. In addition, the method offers a basis for optimizing measures of fire-fighting with important and practical effects.     

Formation of bulk ferromagnetic nanostructured Fe<Subscript>40</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>40</Subscript>P<Subscript>14</Subscript>B<Subscript>6</Subscript> alloys by metastable liquid spinodal decomposition

Nanostructured Fe₄₀Ni₄₀P₁₄B₆ alloy ingots of 3–5 mm in diameter could be synthesized by a metastable liquid state spinodal decomposition method. For undercooling ΔT > 260 K, the microstructure of the undercooled specimen had exhibited liquid state spinodal decomposition in the undercooled liquid state. The microstructure could be described as two intertwining networks with small grains dispersed in them. For undercooling ΔT > 290 K, the overall microstructure of the specimen changed into a granular morphology. The average grain sizes of the small and large grains are ≅ 30 nm and ≅ 80 nm, respectively. These prepared samples are soft magnets with saturation magnetization B _s ≅ 0.744 T. Supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50861007) and Xinjiang University Doctoral Research Start-up Grant (Grant No. BS050102)     

Fractal dimension of coal particles and their CH4 adsorption

We describe the fractal analysis of three differently sized coal samples (0.350–0.833 mm, 0.245–0.350 mm, and 0.198–0.245 mm). The influence of fractal dimension on CH₄ adsorption capacity is investigated. The physical parameters of the samples were determined via the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) theory. A CH₄ adsorption study over the pressures range from 0 to 5 MPa was carried out with a new volumetric measurement system. The CH₄ adsorption was measured using the differently sized coal. Two fractal dimensions, D₁ and D₂ were determined over the pressure ranges from 0 to 0.5 MPa and from 0.5 to 1 MPa, using the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) method. We conclude that the two fractal dimensions correlate with the CH₄ adsorption capacity of the coal: increasing CH₄ adsorption capacity occurs with a corresponding increase in fractal dimension. Furthermore, D₁ and D₂ are positively correlated with surface area, pore volume, and samples size. The size distribution of the samples has fractal characteristics.     

Combustion characteristics of semicokes derived from pyrolysis of low rank bituminous coal

Various semicokes were obtained from medium-low temperature pyrolysis of Dongrong long flame coal. The proximate analysis, calorific value and Hardgrove grindability index (HGI) of semicokes were determined, and the ignition temperature, burnout temperature, ignition index, burnout index, burnout ratio, combustion characteristic index of semicokes were measured and analyzed using thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The effects of pyrolysis temperature, heating rate, and pyrolysis time on yield, composition and calorific value of long flame coal derived semicokes were investigated, especially the influence of pyrolysis temperature on combustion characteristics and grindability of the semicokes was studied combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of semicokes. The results show that the volatile content, ash content and calorific value of semicokes pyrolyzed at all process parameters studied meet the technical specifications of the pulverized coal-fired furnaces (PCFF) referring to China Standards GB/T 7562-1998. The pyrolysis temperature is the most influential factor among pyrolysis process parameters. As pyrolysis temperature increases, the yield, ignition index, combustion reactivity and burnout index of semicokes show a decreasing tend, but the ash content increases. In the range of 400 and 450 °C, the grindability of semicokes is rational, especially the grindability of semicokes pyrolyzed at 450 °C is suitable. Except for the decrease of volatile content and increase of ash content, the decrease of combustion performance of semicokes pyrolyzed at higher temperature should be attributed to the improvement of the degree of structural ordering and the increase of aromaticity and average crystallite size of char. It is concluded that the semicokes pyrolyzed at the temperature of 450 °C is the proper fuel for PCFF.     

Gasification kinetic modelling of Victorian brown coal chars and validity for entrained flow gasification in CO_2

The gasification kinetic modelling of two Victorian brown coal(Yallourn and Maddingley) chars and the validity for entrained flow gasification were investigated in this study. The study was conducted in a thermogravimetric analyzer(TGA) at 750–1100 ℃, 30%–90% CO_2 concentration using different char particle sizes within 20–106 mm. It was found that random pore model and modified volumetric model are applicable for TGA results, but volumetric model and grain model are not. The effect of particle size under106 mm on gasification rate is very limited. Activation energies of Maddingley char and Yallourn char in CO_2 gasification are 219–220 and 197–208 k J/mol, respectively. The pre-exponential factors are in the same order of magnitude, and they increased as particle size decreased. A mathematical model was developed to predict carbon conversion over time for entrained flow gasification of Victorian brown coal chars at 1000–1400 ℃.     

Study on primal CO gas generation and emission of coal seam

The main method of casting coal spontaneous combustion is prediction of index gases, with carbon monoxide(CO) commonly used as an index gas. However, coal spontaneous combustion is not the sole source of CO evolution; primal CO is generated through coalification, which can lead to forecasting mistakes. Through theoretical analysis, primal CO generation and emission from coal seams was determined.In this study, six coal samples were analyzed under six different experimental conditions. The results demonstrated the change in coal seam primal gas and concentration as functions of time, different coal samples, occurrence, various gas types and composition concentration, which are in agreement with the previous study on primal CO generation. Air charging impacts on primal gas emission. Analysis of the experimental data with SPSS demonstrates that the relationship between primal CO concentration and time shows a power exponent distribution.     

煤与油棕榈空果串富氧混烧特性的研究

利用热重-红外联用(TG-FTIR)分析了Adaro煤与棕榈空果串(EFB)在富氧混烧工况下的特性.热重分析仪记录样品在加热过程中的质量损失,而FTIR则分析其释放的气体产物.对在18%O_2/82%CO_2,Air(21%O_2/79%N_2),21%O_2/79%CO_2,30%O_2/70%CO_24种工况下Adaro coal+30%EFB样品进行燃烧.热重分析表明,与O_2/N_2工况相比,O_2/CO_2条件下CO_2气体对燃烧有抑制作用,且空气工况下与30%O_2/70%CO_2的燃烧特性相当.FTIR分析释放的气体主要是CO_2,CO,H_2O.     

Time evolution of coal structure during low temperature air oxidation

The time evolution of coal structure during low temperature oxidation was investigated by oxidizing coal samples in air at 120 °C for periods of up to 14 days. The structure of the oxidized coal samples was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and curve fitting analysis. The results show that carboxyl and ether groups are the main oxygen containing moieties in oxidized coal. Ethers are most abundant during the first 3 days of oxidation, thereafter carboxyl groups predominate. The content of carboxyl and ester functionality increases with oxidation time. The other oxygen containing groups vary in concentration over time. The amount of hydroxyl groups first decreases then increases and finally decrease again during the oxidation. The aliphatic structure and the degree of branching of the aliphatic chains is reduced as the oxidation proceeds. The proportion of aromatic structure increases with oxidation time. Obvious decomposition of aromatic rings occurs after about 9 days of oxidation. The aryl ester bands and the CH₃/CH₂ ratio both have a good linear relationship to oxidation time.     

污泥和煤混烧特性的热重试验研究

利用热重分析法对兰坝煤粉和某城市污泥及两试样混合物的着火温度、燃尽特性和综合燃烧性能等参数进行了研究。实验结果表明:在20℃/min的加热速度,20~1200℃的温度范围内,单一试样及不同掺混比混合试样燃烧时燃烧特性和燃尽性能存在差异,并得出了一些燃烧特性参数,结合实验条件,对反映燃料着火及燃尽性能的燃烧特性综合判别指数S进行了修正。计算结果表明:修正后的S'与其他特性参数计算结果吻合较好。     

UV-curing of hyperbranched polyurethane acrylate-polyurethane diacrylate/SiO2 dispersion and TGA/FTIR study of cured films

UV-curable hyperbranched polyurethane acrylate-polyurethane diacrylate/SiO₂ dispersion (HBPUA-PUDA/SiO₂) was prepared with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), hyperbranched polyester Boltorn H20 (H20), hydroxy-ethyl acrylate (HEA), polyethyleneglycol (PEG-200) and nano-SiO₂. The UV curing kinetics of the films was investigated by FTIR. The results show that the curing speed of the films increases with the adding of nano-SiO₂ and decreases with the adding of PUDA due to the slower chain movement. The thermal stability of the HBPUA-PUDA/SiO₂ films was studied by using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA/FTIR). The results show that all films exhibit two degradation stages located at about 320 and 440 °C corresponding to the degradation for hard segments of urethane-acrylate and the degradation for soft segment and polyester core. In addition, the results from the analysis of TGA/FTIR also indicate that the decomposition temperature of HBPUA-PUDA/SiO₂ film is 15 °C higher than that obtained for pure polymer. The degradation mechanism was proposed according to TGA/FTIR results.     

Chemical looping combustion of coal in interconnected fluidized beds

Chemical looping combustion is the indirect combustion by use of oxygen carrier. It can be used for CO2 capture in power generating processes. In this paper, chemical looping combustion of coal in interconnected fluidized beds with inherent separation of CO2 is proposed. It consists of a high velocity fluidized bed as an air reactor in which oxygen carrier is oxidized, a cyclone, and a bubbling fluidized bed as a fuel reactor in which oxygen carrier is reduced by direct and indirect reactions with coal. The air reactor is connected to the fuel reactor through the cyclone. To raise the high carbon conversion efficiency and separate oxygen carrier particle from ash, coal slurry instead of coal particle is introduced into the bottom of the bubbling fluidized bed. Coal gasification and the reduction of oxygen carrier with the water gas take place simultaneously in the fuel reactor. The flue gas from the fuel reactor is CO2 and water. Almost pure CO2 could be obtained after the con- densation of water. The reduced oxygen carrier is then returned back to the air reactor, where it is oxidized with air. Thermodyanmics analysis indicates that NiO/Ni oxygen carrier is the optimal one for chemical looping combustion of coal. Simulation of the processes for chemical looping combustion of coal, including coal gasification and reduction of oxygen carrier, is carried out with Aspen Plus software. The effects of air reactor temperature, fuel reactor temperature, and ratio of water to coal on the composition of fuel gas, recirculation of oxygen carrier par- ticles, etc., are discussed. Some useful results are achieved. The suitable tem- perature of air reactor should be between 1050―1150℃and the optimal temperature of the fuel reactor be between 900―950℃.     

Fabrication and properties of degradable PPC/EVOH/starch/CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites

Thermally stable and biodegradable composites from poly （propylene carbonate） （PPC）, poly （ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol） （EVOH）, starch and CaCO3 were fabricated by melt blending. Differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, differential thermal analysis/thermal gravimetric analysis （DTA/TGA）, tensile test and scanning electron microscope （SEM） were performed to investigate the miscibility, thermal behavior and tensile properties of the PPC/EVOH/Starch/CaCO3 composites. DSC results indicate that the introduction of EVOH could improve the compatibility between PPC and starch to some extent because of the interfacial interaction between PPC and EVOH, leading to an increase in tensile strength. The tensile strength began to decrease when more starch was added due to the aggregation of starch particles. SEM examination showed the good interracial bonding between the fillers and polymeric components. The incorporation of both EVOH and fillers can greatly increase the thermal stability of PPC matrix. The PPC/EVOH/Starch/CaCO3 composites can be melt processed and can be used as a common biodegradable material for a wide application.     

Crossing point temperature of coal

A further understanding of the self-heating of coal was obtained by investigating the crossing point temperature (CPT) of different ranks of coal. The tests were carried out using a self-designed experimental system for coal self-heating. 50 g (±0.01 g) of coal particles ranging from 0.18 mm to 0.38 mm in size were put into a pure copper reaction vessel attached to the center of a temperature programmed enclosure. The temperature program increased the temperature at a rate of 0.8 ℃/min. Dry air was permitted to flow into the coal reaction vessel at different rates. The surrounding temperature and the coal temperature were monitored by a temperature logger. The results indicate that CPT is affected by coal rank, moisture, sulfur,and the experimental conditions. Higher ranked coals show higher CPT values. A high moisture content causes a delay phenomenon during the self-heating of the coal. Drying at 40 ℃ decreases the effects of moisture. The reactivity of sulfur components in the coal is low under dry and low-temperature conditions.These components form a film that covers the coal surface and slightly inhibits the self-heating of the coal.The flow rate of dry air, and the heating rate of the surroundings, also affect the self-heating of the coal. The most appropriate experimental conditions for coal samples of a given weight and particle size were determined through contrastive analysis. Based on this analysis we propose that CPTs be determined under the same, or nearly the same conditions, for evaluation of the spontaneous combustion of coal.