INVESTIGATION OF THE COMBUSTION OF PARTICLES OF COAL

A thermogravimetric method was used to study the behaviour of seven pu lverized commercial coals during the first instants of their combustio n and devolatilization and combustion of the corresponding chars. Thei r weight variations are related to the evolution of the surface charac teristics of the carbonaceous materials. In particular, BET surface ar eas of the chars appear to be strictly related to the volatile matter of the parent coals and to the devolatilization conditions. A thermogr avimetric reactivity parameter is suggested and related to the combust ion efficiency obtained from pilot plant combustion data. Copyright (C ) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.