Coal and ash blend analysis of a bituminous and a subbituminous coal. [MS thesis; 131 references]

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6556370· OSTI ID:6556370

Bruns, J. M.B.

Coal blending is a readily available and very economical means of improving the quality of coals for combustion. With blending, Midwestern coals can be used to burn low BTU Western subbituminous coals efficiently and this can eliminate, or reduce the need for, flue gas desulfurizaton systems. Blending allows coal heating values to be more closely controlled and avoids the effects of major fluctuations in heat generation. Experience has shown that regulation of the BTU value will cause all other coal specifications to fall within designated limits. These specifications include: minimum heating value, maximum volatile matter, maximum ash, maximum moisture, maximum alkalis, maximum grindability, and minimum ash fusion temperatures. Blending will offer other benefits to coal-fired power generating plants. The capital cost of boilers can be reduced if variations in the fuel properties can be reduced. If the heating value is kept constant, the required boiler size will be better estimated and can be smaller. Boiler slagging and fouling could be reduced if coals of uniform heating value are used. To be successful, blending requires a careful selection of coals. This study has been undertaken in an attempt to derive better blending principles to provide maximum heating with minimum emissions, fouling, and slagging. The properties of a Western subbituminous coal and a Midwestern bituminous coal are studied in detail. The coals are then blended in selected proportions and their mineral contents studied in detail. Finally, fusion behavior of the blends is observed and the ash components identified. In this way combustion problems which could result from a carbon or random selection of coals to be blended can be minimized.

• Research Organization: Ames Lab., IA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-82
• OSTI ID: 6556370
• Report Number(s): DOE/TIC-11440
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
014000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Combustion
ASHES
BITUMINOUS COAL
BLACK COAL
BOILERS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COAL PREPARATION
COHERENT SCATTERING
COMBUSTION
COMMINUTION
DIFFRACTION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FOULING
FUELS
MATERIALS
MINERALS
MIXING
NONMETALS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITY RATIO
RESIDUES
SCATTERING
SLAGS
SUBBITUMINOUS COAL
SULFUR
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TRACE AMOUNTS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION