Characterisation of coal blends for pulverised fuel combustion

This study evaluates the effect of blending on the combustion characteristi cs of pulverised coal through the testing of six coals and fifteen coal ble nds in an isothermal plug flow reactor (IPFR). The aim of the test was to a ssess whether the combustion behaviour of blends could be predicted from th at of the parent coals. For blends of bituminous coals, an additive behavio ur was found for ash. volatile matter and calorific value. Other non-standa rd fuel properties such as the high volatile matter content determined usin g the IPFR, fuel-N release and char combustion, were found to be additive. The blends of bituminous coals and lignite demonstrated non-additive proper ties as far as volatile matter release is concerned. It was concluded that the inorganic coal phase is responsible for non-additive behaviour in blend s, since the volatile components of the coal mineral matter may undergo rea ctions with the second blend partner. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.