REACTION STUDIES OF AN EGYPTIAN COAL UNDER COMBUSTION-RELATED CONDITIONS BY THERMAL-ANALYSIS MASS-SPECTROMETRY

Thermal analysis-mass spectrometry (TA-MS) has been used to study the reactions of Al Maghara coal and its low temperature ash (LTA) under c ombustion-related conditions. The TA-MS profile of the coal gives info rmation on combustion performance (ignition, peak combustion and burno ut temperatures) and on chemical changes to the volatile matter (H2O, SO2, CO2 and NO2), char and minerals. X-ray diffraction identified pyr ite as the major mineral component in the coal. The major and only fea ture of the TA-MS profile of the LTA is SO2 evolution associated with decomposition of pyrite and iron sulphates. The high sulphur content o f Al Maghara coal is a severe obstacle to its use in combustion. Clean ing of the coal to reduce the sulphur to an acceptable level is consid ered to be essential.