INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL DESULFURIZATION ON COAL COMBUSTION PERFORMANCE

Differential thermogravimetry (DTG) was used to obtain information abo ut the effect of biological desulphurisation on the entire coal combus tion process. Two coals of different rank, a semianthracite (HVL1) and a high volatile bituminous coal (HMI), were inoculated with autochtho nous bacterial cultures isolated from natural mine sludge and from bac teria inherent in the coal. From the combustion profiles and the react ivity in air at 500 degrees C of the chars produced after pyrolysis, s everal characteristic parameters were determined, The results indicate d that the influence of the biological treatment on combustion perform ance and char reactivity is more significant in the higher rank coal. The overall process seems to cause a slight beneficial effect on the i gnition properties, evaluated from the burning profiles, of the semian thracite treated samples. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.