New approaches for coal oxidization propensity estimation

Abstract

Studying of coals propensity to oxidation nowadays is current and urgent. It is reasoned by the fact that coals oxidation processes, happening during the whole life-cycle (from mining to utilization), inevitably lead to quality loss and, what is even more important, to occurrence of fire (self-ignition) hazards. At the moment, there exist no unity of opinions regarding classification of coals by their propensity to oxidation. In this paper, newly developed approaches for coals propensity to oxidation are introduced based on complex study methods, such as metamorphism degree characterization, chemical activity evaluation, characterization of fracturing occurrence and tendency, thermal methods of different types. Combination of such coals behavior and properties characterization methods allowed to classify their propensity to oxidation at least by three groups: 1st group - coals with minimal propensity to oxidation, 2nd group - coals with pronounced tendency to oxidation and 3rd group - coals with the highest propensity to oxidation. The first group contains high-rank coals and anthracite, the second and third groups included lignites, oxidized and bituminous low-ranked coals depending on parameters combination.