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Experimental investigation of the macroscopic characteristic parameters and microstructure of water-soaked coal during low-temperature oxidation

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Abstract

When a shallow-buried close-distance coal seam group is mined, the residual coal in the goaf of the upper coal seam is immersed in water for a prolonged period of time, increasing the risk of coal spontaneous combustion (CSC). In this study, the macroscopic characteristics of water-soaked coal (WSC) during low-temperature oxidation were analyzed using a temperature-programmed device. The microstructure changes at different oxidation temperatures (40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 °C) were investigated through liquid nitrogen adsorption and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that, during low-temperature oxidation, macroscopic characteristic parameters such as the oxidation gas product concentration, temperature, and oxygen consumption rate of WSC changed, indicating higher oxidizability and lower apparent activation energy. The average pore size and macropore volume of the coal surface gradually increased during low-temperature oxidation. The mesopore volume increased at first and then tended to stabilize. The mineral content on the surface of the coal markedly diminished, but the mineral content did not participate in the oxidation process. Water leaching enhanced the interlayer spacing of the aromatic lamellae of the coal samples, curtailed the degree of coalification, and condensed the aromatic ring of the coal sample during the oxidation process. This analysis of the oxidation and macroscopic characteristics of WSC from micro- and macroperspectives is valuable for the prevention and containment of CSC.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51774232 and 51974234), Shaanxi International Science and Technology Cooperation Project (No. 2020KW-026), Scientific Research Projects of Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology (2021SCLL02), and Luzhou Science and Technology Planning Project (No. 2021-SYF-42). The authors also gratefully acknowledge Key Laboratory of Coal Fire and Hazard Prevention in Shaanxi Province, China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology (XUST), 58, Yanta Mid. Rd, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710054, People’s Republic of China

    Yong-Jun He, Jun Deng, Xiao-Wei Zhai, Zu-Jin Bai & Yang Xiao

  2. Department of Public Security, Sichuan Police College, 186, Longtouguan, Rd, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, People’s Republic of China

    Yong-Jun He

  3. Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Coal Fire, Xi’an , University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, 710054, People’s Republic of China

    Yong-Jun He, Jun Deng, Xiao-Wei Zhai, Zu-Jin Bai & Yang Xiao

  4. Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, 123, Sec. 3, University Rd, Douliu, Yunlin, 64002, Taiwan

    Chi-Min Shu

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  1. Yong-Jun He
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  2. Jun Deng
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Yong-Jun He contributed to writing—original draft. Jun Deng and Xiao-Wei Zhai contributed to funding acquisition, supervision, and investigation. Zu-Jin Bai and Yang Xiao contributed to supervision and investigation. Chi-Min Shu contributed to supervision.

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Correspondence to Yong-Jun He or Jun Deng.

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He, YJ., Deng, J., Zhai, XW. et al. Experimental investigation of the macroscopic characteristic parameters and microstructure of water-soaked coal during low-temperature oxidation. J Therm Anal Calorim 147, 9711–9723 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11243-5

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