Activation of Combustion Process of Anthracite by Metal Nitrates

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effect of metal nitrates on the activation of anthracite combustion process has been studied. Fe(NO3)2 · 9H2O and Cu(NO3)2 · 3H2O were used as nitrates in an amount of 5 wt% applied to anthracite powder (fraction less than 0.1 mm) by incipient wetness impregnation. Using scanning electron microscopy and EDX mapping, it was found that using this method of applying the additive makes it possible to achieve high dispersion and uniform distribution in the fuel composition. The characteristics of oxidation, ignition, and combustion were studied using thermal analysis methods and high-speed video recording in the combustion chamber at a temperature of 800°C. It was found that the use of metal nitrates contributes to an increase in the reactivity of anthracite as evidenced by a decrease in the temperature of the intensive oxidation beginning (ΔTi) by 23–84°C and the ignition delay time (Δti) by 0.9–2.2 seconds. The greatest effect of changing the reactivity of anthracite was recorded in the case of using copper nitrate additive. The use of nitrates also contributed to the decrease in the resulting fuel underburning (from 3.5 to 0.4 wt%) and gas-phase CO compounds (by 31–53%). At the early stages, combustion process of modified samples was accompanied by periodic formation of micro-explosions, which led to the activation and development of the particle surface.