Review of experimental methods to determine spontaneous combustion susceptibility of coal – Indian context

N K Mohalik,E Lester,I S Lowndes

doi:10.1080/17480930.2016.1232334

Abstract

This paper presents a critical review of the different techniques developed to investigate the susceptibility of coal to spontaneous combustion and fire. These methods may be sub-classified into the two following areas: (1) Basic coal characterisation studies (chemical constituents) and their influence on spontaneous combustion susceptibility. (2) Test methods to assess the susceptibility of a coal sample to spontaneous combustion. This is followed by a critical literature review that summarises previous research with special emphasis given to Indian coals.

Highlights

Coal is an affordable, reliable and abundantly available natural resource that is geographically well-distributed
This paper presents a critical review of the different techniques developed to investigate the susceptibility of coal to spontaneous combustion and fire
The determination and prediction of spontaneous combustion/fire of coal plays an important role for mine planners, operators, regulators and mine closure planners. In this scenario this paper presents a critical review of the different techniques developed to investigate the susceptibility of coal to spontaneous combustion/fire

Summary

Introduction

Reliable and abundantly available natural resource that is geographically well-distributed. It is currently the biggest single source of energy used for electricity generation worldwide and provides 40% of the total global energy power generation capacity (Holtberg, 2011). The electrical energy produced by coal generation currently supports 54.5% of the commercial energy supply in India. This plays a key role in underpinning the national economy and industrial growth irrespective of the environmental impact that coal utilisation may produce. India is the third largest coal producing country in world with approximately 80% of this production from surface coal mines. The more mature coalfields are the Jharia, Raniganj and Wardha coalfields, whose locations are shown in Fig.1(Joshua, 2011)

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Conclusion