Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of crude oil on the microstructure and spontaneous combustion characteristics of coal: a case study of weakly caking coal in the Huangling No. 2 mine, China

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of crude oil on the microstructure and spontaneous combustion characteristics of coal were assessed, using raw coal sample and coal samples containing 5%, 10% and 15% oil. The pore structures, oxygen adsorption capacity, surface functional groups and spontaneous combustion characteristics were characterized by the LP-N2A, TG, FTIR and temperature-programmed experiments. The LP-N2A and TG tests revealed that the presence of crude oil reduced the porosity, specific surface area and pore volume in the coal sample containing crude oil, which would suppress the transport capacity of oxygen in mesopores and micropores not to adsorb on the specific active sites of coal surfaces. FTIR analysis indicated that the amount of oxygen-containing functional groups and –OH groups decreased tremendously in the coals containing crude oil, but the content of aliphatic C–H groups showed an increasing trend. Moreover, the values of A(CH2)/A(CH3), Ahy/Aar, Aoxygen/Aar all decrease gradually with the rising crude oil contents, indicating that the crude oil reduced the average alkyl chain length and compressed the space between aromatic clusters. The results of temperature-programmed experiments showed that O2 consumption and CO production rates decreased gradually with the increase in crude oil content. The results were in agreement with the varying trend of characterization of microstructure and function groups obtained by LP-N2A, TG and FTIR tests. Furthermore, the Pearson correlation coefficient cleared that the breaking of long aliphatic chains of aromatic rings and reduction of hydrogen bonds content have a greater contribution to the suppression of spontaneous combustion than the attenuation of physical adsorption. This study concluded that crude oil lowers down the spontaneous combustion properties of coal, which could provide a reference for the prevention of spontaneous combustion of coal seam containing crude oil.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wessling S, Kuenzer C, Kessels W, Wuttke MW. Numerical modeling for analyzing thermal surface anomalies induced by underground coal fires. Int J Coal Geol. 2008;74(3–4):175–84.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Xia T, Zhou F, Wang X, Kang J, Pan Z. Safety evaluation of combustion-prone longwall mining gobs induced by gas extraction: a simulation study. Process Saf Environ Prot. 2017;109:677–87.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Cheng W, Hu X, Zhao Y, Wu M, Hu Z, Yu X. Preparation and swelling properties of poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) composite hydrogels. e-Polymers. 2017;17(1):95–106.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Wen H, Fan S, Zhang D, Wang W, Guo J, Sun Q. Experimental study and application of a novel foamed concrete to yield airtight walls in coal mines. Adv Mater Sci Eng. 2018;2018:1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Stracher GB. Coal fires burning around the world: a global catastrophe. Int J Coal Geol. 2004;59(1–2):1–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Zhou FB. Study on the coexistence of gas and coal spontaneous combustion(I):disaster mechanism. J China Coal Soc. 2012;19(37):143–204.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Jin YF, Li H, Xu Y. Spontaneous combustion parameters test of Huangling coal samples based on heating experiments of a small coal sample oxidation of natural insulation. Coal Technol. 2014;142–144.

  8. Deng J, Lei C, Xiao Y, Cao K, Ma L, Wang W, et al. Determination and prediction on “three zones” of coal spontaneous combustion in a gob of fully mechanized caving face. Fuel. 2018;211:458–70.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Stracher GB, Taylor TP. Coal fires burning out of control around the world: thermodynamic recipe for environmental catastrophe. Int J Coal Geol. 2004;59(1–2):7–17.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Song Z, Kuenzer C. Coal fires in China over the last decade: a comprehensive review. Int J Coal Geol. 2014;133:72–99.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Cheng W, Hu X, Xie J, Zhao Y. An intelligent gel designed to control the spontaneous combustion of coal: fire prevention and extinguishing properties. Fuel. 2017;210:826–35.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Zhang YT, Yang CP, Li YQ, et al. Ultrasonic extraction and oxidation characteristics of functional groups during coal spontaneous combustion. Fuel. 2019;242:287–94.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Xi Z, Wang X, Wang X, Wang L, Li D, Guo X, et al. Self-hardening thermoplastic foam for the inhibition of coal oxidation at low temperatures. Combust Sci Technol. 2018;142–144:1–18.

  14. Wang H, Dlugogorski BZ, Kennedy EM. Coal oxidation at low temperatures: oxygen consumption, oxidation products, reaction mechanism and kinetic modelling. Prog Energy Combust Sci. 2003;29(6):487–513.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Qi X, Li Q, Zhang H, Xin H. Thermodynamic characteristics of coal reaction under low oxygen concentration conditions. J Energy Inst. 2017;90(4):544–55.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Wang D, Xin H, Qi X, Dou G, Qi G, Ma L. Reaction pathway of coal oxidation at low temperatures: a model of cyclic chain reactions and kinetic characteristics. Combust Flame. 2016;163:447–60.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Zhao CL, Sun YZ, Xiao L, Qin SJ, Wang JX, Duan DJ. The occurrence of barium in a Jurassic coal in the Huangling 2 Mine, Ordos Basin, northern China. Fuel. 2014;128:428–32.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Tang Y, Li Y, Xue S, Wang J, Li R. Experimental investigation of long-term water immersion effect on spontaneous combustion parameters and microscopic characteristics of bituminous. J China Coal Soc. 2017;42(10):2642–8.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Wang H, Dlugogorski BZ, Kennedy EM. Analysis of the mechanism of the low-temperature oxidation of coal. Combust Flame. 2003;134(1–2):107–17.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Wang D, Dou G, Zhong X, Xin H, Qin B. An experimental approach to selecting chemical inhibitors to retard the spontaneous combustion of coal. Fuel. 2014;117:218–23.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Su H, Zhou F, Li J, Qi H. Effects of oxygen supply on low-temperature oxidation of coal: a case study of Jurassic coal in Yima, China. Fuel. 2017;202:446–54.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Wang X, Luo Y, Vieira B. Experimental technique and modeling for evaluating heat of rewetting effect on coals’ propensity of spontaneous combustion based on adiabatic oxidation method. Int J Coal Geol. 2018;187:1–10.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Zhang Y, Wu J, Chang L, Wang J, Xue S, Li Z. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies on the mechanism of low-temperature oxidation of coal: a case study of Shendong coal (China). Int J Coal Geol. 2013;120:41–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Lu Y, Shi S, Wang H, Tian Z, Ye Q, Niu H. Thermal characteristics of cement microparticle-stabilized aqueous foam for sealing high-temperature mining fractures. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2019;131:594–603.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Senneca O, Cortese L. Kinetics of coal oxy-combustion by means of different experimental techniques. Fuel. 2012;102:751–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Nie B, Liu X, Yang L, Meng J, Li X. Pore structure characterization of different rank coals using gas adsorption and scanning electron microscopy. Fuel. 2015;158:908–17.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Tang Z, Yang S, Zhai C, Xu Q. Coal pores and fracture development during CBM drainage: their promoting effects on the propensity for coal and gas outbursts. J Nat Gas Sci Eng. 2018;51:9–17.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Xiao Y, Lü H-F, Huang A-C, Deng J, Shu C-M. A new numerical method to predict the growth temperature of spontaneous combustion of 1/3 coking coal. Appl Therm Eng. 2018;131:221–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Deng J, Li Q, Xiao Y, Wen H. The effect of oxygen concentration on the non-isothermal combustion of coal. Thermochim Acta. 2017;653:106–15.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Li B, Chen G, Zhang H, Sheng C. Development of non-isothermal TGA–DSC for kinetics analysis of low temperature coal oxidation prior to ignition. Fuel. 2014;118:385–91.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Qin L, Zhai C, Liu S, Xu J, Yu G, Sun Y. Changes in the petrophysical properties of coal subjected to liquid nitrogen freeze-thaw—a nuclear magnetic resonance investigation. Fuel. 2017;194:102–14.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Xu J, Zhai C, Liu S, Qin L, Wu S. Pore variation of three different metamorphic coals by multiple freezing-thawing cycles of liquid CO2 injection for coalbed methane recovery. Fuel. 2017;208:41–51.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Niu Q, Pan J, Jin Y, Wang H, Li M, Ji Z, et al. Fractal study of adsorption-pores in pulverized coals with various metamorphism degrees using N2 adsorption, X-ray scattering and image analysis methods. J Petrol Sci Eng. 2019;176:584–93.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Kaji RHY, Nakamura Y. Low temperature oxidation of coals: effects of pore structure and coal composition. Fuel. 1985;64:297–302.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Song H, Liu G, Zhang J, Wu J. Pyrolysis characteristics and kinetics of low rank coals by TG-FTIR method. Fuel Process Technol. 2017;156:454–60.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Zhang Y, Wang J, Xue S, Wu J, Chang L, Li Z. Kinetic study on changes in methyl and methylene groups during low-temperature oxidation of coal via in situ FTIR. Int J Coal Geol. 2016;154–155:155–64.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Zhao J, Deng J, Wang T, Song J, Zhang Y, Shu C-M, et al. Assessing the effectiveness of a high-temperature-programmed experimental system for simulating the spontaneous combustion properties of bituminous coal through thermokinetic analysis of four oxidation stages. Energy. 2019;169:587–96.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Pan J, Peng C, Wan X, Zheng D, Lv R, Wang K. Pore structure characteristics of coal-bearing organic shale in Yuzhou coalfield, China using low pressure N2 adsorption and FESEM methods. J Petrol Sci Eng. 2017;153:234–43.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Wen H, Xu J, Ge L. Experimental simulation and numerical analysis of coal spontaneous combustion process at low temperature. Int J Coal Sci Technol. 2001;2:61–6.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Deng J, Zhao J, Zhang Y, Huang A, Liu X, Zhai X, et al. Thermal analysis of spontaneous combustion behavior of partially oxidized coal. Process Saf Environ Prot. 2016;104:218–24.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Liu X, Nie B. Fractal characteristics of coal samples utilizing image analysis and gas adsorption. Fuel. 2016;182:314–22.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Shi Q, Qin B, Liang H, Gao Y, Bi Q, Qu B. Effects of igneous intrusions on the structure and spontaneous combustion propensity of coal: a case study of bituminous coal in Daxing Mine, China. Fuel. 2018;216:181–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Jiang J, Cheng Y, Wang L, Li W, Wang L. Petrographic and geochemical effects of sill intrusions on coal and their implications for gas outbursts in the Wolonghu Mine, Huaibei Coalfield, China. Int J Coal Geol. 2011;88(1):55–66.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Wen H, Fan S, Xiao J, Lu P, Guo J, Liu W, et al. Combustion kinetics of No. A3 coal in the Paner coal mine of the Huainan Coalfield, Anhui, China. Procedia Eng. 2018;2018(211):149–59.

    Google Scholar 

  45. He X, Liu X, Nie B, Song D. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy characterization of functional groups in various rank coals. Fuel. 2017;206:555–63.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Song H, Liu G, Wu J. Pyrolysis characteristics and kinetics of low rank coals by distributed activation energy model. Energy Convers Manag. 2016;126:1037–46.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Baysal M, Yürüm A, Yıldız B, Yürüm Y. Structure of some western Anatolia coals investigated by FTIR, Raman, 13C solid state NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Int J Coal Geol. 2016;163:166–76.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Cui C, Jiang S, Zhang W. Influence of different concentrations of ionic solutions on coal spontaneous combustion. Combust Sci Technol. 2018;190(10):1817–31.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Cui F-S, Laiwang B, Shu C-M, Jiang J-C. Inhibiting effect of imidazolium-based ionic liquids on the spontaneous combustion characteristics of lignite. Fuel. 2018;217:508–14.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Orrego-Ruiz JA, Cabanzo R, Mejía-Ospino E. Study of Colombian coals using photoacoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Int J Coal Geol. 2011;85(3–4):307–10.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Wu D, Liu G, Sun R, Fan X. Investigation of structural characteristics of thermally metamorphosed coal by FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Energy Fuels. 2013;27(10):5823–30.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Jing Z, Rodrigues S, Strounina E, Li M, Wood B, Underschultz JR, et al. Use of FTIR, XPS, NMR to characterize oxidative effects of NaClO on coal molecular structures. Int J Coal Geol. 2019;201:1–13.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Yuan S, Liu J, Zhu J, Zhou Q, Wang Z, Zhou J, et al. Effect of microwave irradiation on the propensity for spontaneous combustion of Inner Mongolia lignite. J Loss Prev Process Ind. 2016;44:390–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Wen H, Xu J, Li L, Dai A. Analysis of coal self-ignite heat accumulating process and its effect factor. J China Coal Soc. 2003;28(4):370–4.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Wen H, Yu Z, Fan S, Zhai X, Liu W. Prediction of spontaneous combustion potential of coal in the gob area using CO extreme concentration: a case study. Combust Sci Technol. 2017;189(10):1713–27.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Shi Q, Qin B, Bi Q, Qu B. An experimental study on the effect of igneous intrusions on chemical structure and combustion characteristics of coal in Daxing Mine, China. Fuel. 2018;226:307–15.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Tang Y, Wang H. Experimental investigation on microstructure evolution and spontaneous combustion properties of secondary oxidation of lignite. Process Saf Environ Prot. 2019;124:143–50.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51974240, 51804245 and 51904234) and National Key Research and Development projects of China (Grant Nos. 2016YFC0801802, 2018YFC0808201).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Energy Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, No. 58, Yanta Mid. Rd., Xi’an, 710054, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Shixing Fan, Duo Zhang & Zhijin Yu

  2. College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, No. 58, Yanta Mid. Rd., Xi’an, 710054, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Shixing Fan, Hu Wen, Duo Zhang, Zhijin Yu & Xiaojiao Cheng

  3. Department of Safety Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, No. 292, Ziyun Rd., Hefei, 230601, Anhui, People’s Republic of China

    Shixing Fan

Authors
  1. Shixing Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hu Wen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Duo Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhijin Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xiaojiao Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shixing Fan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fan, S., Wen, H., Zhang, D. et al. Effects of crude oil on the microstructure and spontaneous combustion characteristics of coal: a case study of weakly caking coal in the Huangling No. 2 mine, China. J Therm Anal Calorim 144, 539–551 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-020-10092-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-020-10092-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation