Onifade, M.Genc, B.2025-05-292018-09Onifade, 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/s40789-018-0222-52095-8293 (print)2198-7823 (online)10.1007/s40789-018-0222-5https://hdl.handle.net/10539/45009Coal 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.en© 2018 The Author(s) Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.CeramicsCriticalityIntrinsic ExcitabilityReasoningSelf incompatabilityFossil FuelArticleSDG-9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure