Comparative analysis of coal and coal-shale intrinsic factors affecting spontaneous combustion

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Date

2018-09

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Springer Open

Abstract

Coal and coal-shales tend to undergo spontaneous combustion under favourable atmospheric conditions. Spontaneous combustion liability index and intrinsic properties of coals and coal-shales varies between (above and below) coal seams. The spontaneous combustion liability index (obtained from the Wits-Ehac Index) and intrinsic properties (obtained from proximate, ultimate, and petrographic analysis) of fourteen samples representative of in situ coal (bituminous) and fourteen coal-shales obtained in Witbank coalfield, South Africa were experimentally studied. Comparative analysis of the relationships between the spontaneous combustion liability index and intrinsic properties of coals and coal-shales were established to evaluate their effects on self-heating potential. The intrinsic properties show linear relationship with spontaneous combustion liability and therefore, identifies the factors affecting spontaneous combustion of these materials. The influence of coal-shales intrinsic properties towards spontaneous combustion liability shows higher correlation coefficients than the coals. Both coals and coal-shales show inertinite maceral as major constituents than the vitrinite and liptinite macerals, hence the reactivity of inertinite macerals may show greater influence on spontaneous combustion liability. A definite positive or negative trends exists between the intrinsic properties and spontaneous combustion liability index. This research is part of a larger project which is considering the influence of intrinsic properties of coals and coal-shales on spontaneous combustion liability.

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Keywords

Ceramics, Criticality, Intrinsic Excitability, Reasoning, Self incompatability, Fossil Fuel

Citation

Onifade, M., Genc, B. Comparative analysis of coal and coal-shale intrinsic factors affecting spontaneous combustion. Int J Coal Sci Technol 5, 282–294 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-018-0222-5

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