Study of low-rank high sulfur coal fine with biomass

Abstract

Efficient combustion is important for the energetic recovery of coals. In the present study, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has been employed to obtain valuable information on the combustion characteristics of low-rank coal fine waste and acacia as biomass. Combustion profile indicates that acacia is helpful, for better ignition and burnout characteristics of coal due to the better reactivity and enhanced release of volatiles at lower temperature. The incorporation of acacia into the coal during combustion, decreases the ignition temperature and hence, yields a better combustion performance. Negligible amounts of ash and sulfur in the acacia sample, in comparison to the low-rank coal fines, are highly beneficial in order to reduce the emission of harmful sulfurous gases and particulate matters into the atmosphere. Statistical tools, such as Correlation Coefficient and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), have confirmed that blending low-rank coal fine waste with acacia biomass is highly beneficial for better ignition and efficient combustion.