Combustion behavior of KOH desulphurized coals assessed by TGA-DTG

This work presents the results obtained from the experimental study on the effects of KOH treatment and its combustion behavior of high sulfur Indian coal. Coal was treated with 5–20% KOH (v/v) concentration for 6–24 h reaction time to identify the effects of KOH treatment on coal properties. Experimental results showed that upto 36.79% of total sulfur can be removed from coal with 20% KOH concentration and 24 h contact time at atmospheric condition. However, gross calorific value of coal decreased from 6800 to 6084 kcal/kg due to removal of combustibles from coal. Combustion characteristics of treated coal were assessed by Thermo-gravimetric analysis/ Differential thermo-gravimetric (TGA/DTG analysis). Further various combustion kinetic parameters like ignition temperature, peak temperature, burnout temperature, activation energy (E), and pre-exponential factor (A) are estimated. Experimental results show that the ignition temperature of coal decreased from 321°C to 252°C, peak temperature decreased from 459°C to 409°C due to changes in the coal matrix after desulfurization. The activation energy of coal calculated decreased from 79 to 45 kJ/mol due to desulfurization using 20% KOH concentration and 24 h reaction time.