Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Coal assay techniques are specific analytical methods designed to measure the particular physical and chemical properties of coals. These methods are used primarily to determine the suitability of coal for coking, power generation or for iron ore smelting in the manufacture of steel.
Contents
1 Chemical properties of coal o 1.1 Moisture o 1.2 Volatile matter o 1.3 Ash o 1.4 Fixed carbon o 1.5 Chemical analysis 2 Physical and mechanical properties o 2.1 Relative density o 2.2 Particle size distribution o 2.3 Float-sink test o 2.4 Abrasion testing 3 Special combustion tests o 3.1 Specific energy o 3.2 Ash fusion test o 3.3 Crucible swelling index (free swelling index) 4 See also 5 References 6 External links
[edit] Moisture
Moisture is an important property of coal, as all coals are mined wet. Groundwater and other extraneous moisture is known as adventitious moisture and is readily evaporated. Moisture held within the coal itself is known as inherent moisture and is analysed. Moisture may occur in four possible forms within coal:
Hydroscopic moisture: water held by capillary action within the microfractures of the coal Decomposition moisture: water held within the coal's decomposed organic compounds Mineral moisture: water which comprises part of the crystal structure of hydrous silicates such as clays
Total moisture is analysed by loss of mass between an untreated sample and the sample once analysed. This is achieved by any of the following methods; 1. Heating the coal with toluene 2. Drying in a minimum free-space oven at 150 C (300 F) within a nitrogen atmosphere 3. Drying in air at 100 to 105 C (210 to 220 F) and relative loss of mass determined Methods 1 and 2 are suitable with low-rank coals but method 3 is only suitable for highrank coals as free air drying low-rank coals may promote oxidation. Inherent moisture is analysed similarly, though it may be done in a vacuum.
[edit] Ash
Ash content of coal is the non-combustible residue left after coal is burnt. It represents the bulk mineral matter after carbon, oxygen, sulfur and water (including from clays) has been driven off during combustion. Analysis is fairly straightforward, with the coal thoroughly burnt and the ash material expressed as a percentage of the original weight.
Coal plies and particles have different relative densities, determined by vitrinite content, rank, ash and mineral content and porosity. Coal is usually washed by passing it over a bath of liquid of known density. This removes high-ash content particles and increases the saleability of the coal as well as its energy content per unit volume. Thus, coals must be subjected to a float-sink test in the laboratory, which will determine the optimum particle size for washing, the density of the wash liquid required to remove the maximum ash content with the minimum work. Floatsink testing is achieved on crushed and pulverised coal in a process similar to metallurgical testing on metallic ore.
Deformation temperature: This is reached when the corners of the mould first become rounded
Softening (sphere) temperature: This is reached when the top of the mould takes on a spherical shape. Hemisphere temperature: This is reached when the entire mould takes on a hemisphere shape Flow (fluid) temperature: This is reached when the molten ash collapses to a flattened button on the furnace floor.