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Experimental study of low-rank coals using simultaneous thermal analysis (TG–DTA) techniques under air conditions and radiation level characterization

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Abstract

Simultaneous thermal analysis (TG–DTA) of low-rank coals from different annual periods (2015 and 2018) which originate from Kolubara and Nikola Tesla A (TENT A) coal-fired power plants was studied to identify their combustion characteristics and self-ignition risks. In order to investigate kinetics of thermo-oxidative degradation, model-free models including the Friedman and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose methods were applied. In accordance with obtained kinetic results, numerical optimization of combustion process was implemented. Homogeneous and heterogeneous types of ignition were identified for the tested coals, and factors that affect their occurrence are the used heating rate and volatile matter content. From thermal susceptibility graph, it was found that the tested coals expand in a wide range of self-ignition risk, depending on their coal rank. The youngest coal (TENT A (2018)) has the largest propensity to self-ignite among high-ranking coals. It was found that less tendency of 2018 coals to show true isokinetic temperature in comparison with 2015 coals is a consequence of intraparticle diffusion limitations, and change of char properties, at higher conversion values. Gamma spectrometry analysis of coals showed that higher concentration of 40K radionuclide (which is in mineral composition) may contribute through its deposition on available sites, decreasing surface area for reaction with oxidizing species.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia under the projects 172015, 172056, and III43009.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiation and Environmental Protection Department, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, P.O. Box 522, 11001, Belgrade, Serbia

    Marija Janković, Jelena Krneta Nikolić & Nataša Sarap

  2. Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, P.O. Box 522, 11001, Belgrade, Serbia

    Bojan Janković

  3. Laboratory for Radiation Chemistry and Physics, “GAMMA,” Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, P.O. Box 522, 11001, Belgrade, Serbia

    Milena Marinović-Cincović & Slavica Porobić

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  1. Marija Janković
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Correspondence to Marija Janković.

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Janković, M., Janković, B., Marinović-Cincović, M. et al. Experimental study of low-rank coals using simultaneous thermal analysis (TG–DTA) techniques under air conditions and radiation level characterization. J Therm Anal Calorim 142, 547–564 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-020-09288-5

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