The annealing-induced loss of gasification reactivity of a bituminous coal
char with respect to carbon dioxide was studied by means of a combination o
f experimental techniques. Heat treatment of coal samples under inert atmos
phere for different time intervals was accomplished at temperatures as high
as 2000 degrees C by means of thermogravimetric analyzers and of a special
ly designed heated-strip reactor. Gasification reactivities of untreated an
d heat-treated coal samples were determined by isothermal thermogravimetric
analysis in carbon dioxide atmospheres. The influence of the time-temperat
ure history of the coal sample on the parameters of the apparent gasificati
on kinetics (preexponential factor, activation energy) has been assessed. R
esults were further analyzed in the framework of a simple annealing kinetic
model suitable for implementation in gasification modeling.