Abstract
The paper presents the results of an analysis of hard coal quality diversion in narrow size fraction by using taxonomic methods. Raw material samples were collected in selected mines of Upper Silesian Industrial Region and they were classified according to the Polish classification as types 31, 34.2 and 35. Then, each size fraction was characterized in terms of the following properties: density, ash content, calorific content, volatile content, total sulfur content and analytical moisture. As a result of the analysis it can be stated that the best quality in the entire range of the tested size fractions was the 34.2 coking coal type. At the same time, in terms of price parameters, high quality of raw material characterised the following size fractions: 0-6.3 mm of 31 energetic coal type and 0-3.15 mm of 35 coking coal type. The methods of grouping (Ward’s method) and agglomeration (k-means method) have shown that the size fraction below 10 mm was characterized by higher quality in all the analyzed hard coal types. However, the selected taxonomic methods do not make it possible to identify individual size fraction or hard coal types based on chosen parameters.
Highlights
The IEC 2016 results indicate that fossil fuels remain dominant primary energy sources in the world as they will provide about 78% of total energy consumption in 2040
The pro-ecological actions of the government and the EU have resulted in a high demand for high-quality coal, called peas for commercial purposes, supplying retort boilers to private consumers, which has resulted in higher price and limited supply of the coal product since 2007
The selected taxonomic methods do not make it possible to identify individual size fractions or types of hard coal based on chosen parameters
Summary
The IEC 2016 results indicate that fossil fuels remain dominant primary energy sources in the world as they will provide about 78% of total energy consumption in 2040. In Polish hard coal processing plants, the enrichment of raw material in the full range of size is abandoned One reason for this approach is prices of final products and market fluctuations. The pro-ecological actions of the government and the EU have resulted in a high demand for high-quality coal, called peas for commercial purposes, supplying retort boilers to private consumers, which has resulted in higher price and limited supply of the coal product since 2007. Facing this problem, the Institute of Chemical Processing of Coal has developed a technology that allows efficient burning of the fine coal in the retort boilers. The quality of coal types depends on maintaining the technological regime and a compliance with the developed control systems in coal processing plants, but it is largely determined by the natural characteristics of raw material, deciding on the possibilities of its using
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