APPLICATION OF A NEW ASH FUSION TEST TO THEODORE COALS

The standard ash fusion test is criticised widely due to its subjectiv e nature. Interlaboratory exercises showed that operators could differ up to 400 degrees C in initial deformation temperature determination in the standard ash fusion test. The improved ash fusion test proved t o be a useful tool to resolve ambiguous results from the standard ash fusion test. Good correlations were found between the ash chemistry an d major movement temperatures in the new ash fusion test for this data set. Moreover, initial deformation as well as spherical and flow temp eratures from the standard ash fusion test showed good correlations wi th major movement and 85% movement temperatures from the new ash fusio n test for this data set. A coal washing exercise showed that ash fusi on temperatures in the new test improved significantly. Further, ply b lending was found to alter the ash fusion characteristics. Major movem ent temperatures from the improved ash fusion test were found to be ad ditive in ply blending. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.