Spontaneous Combustion Liability of Kutahya (Turkey) Region Lignites

Abstract

Spontaneous combustion of coals has been pointed out as one of the most critical problems encountered in coal mining for years. This event occurring in underground and open pits as well as in the coal–hole of the apartments can cause severe fatalities together with loss of reserves and equipment. Spontaneous combustion phenomenon can be reduced to a minimum degree by taking necessary precautions in time. In order to carry out this important task, at first the susceptibility of coals to spontaneous combustion should be determined and then colliery working conditions should be arranged according to these findings. In this work, the spontaneous combustion liability of the coals taken from Western, Seyitome, and Degirmisaz Lignite Corporations have been identified. The spontaneous combustion profiles of the coals from Kutahya Region have been ascertained in general. Through out the present work, the crossing point method has been utilized. A total of 33 laboratory tests have been carried out. According to test results, the coal samples taken from Seyitomer have “medium to high” risk for spontaneous combustion while the coals from Western Lignite Corporation have shown “high” risk and the coals from Degirmisaz Corporation have “medium” risk.