Reactivity of coal macerals and lithotypes

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) Vol. 67; no. 6; pp. 781 - 785
• Main Authors: Crelling, John C., Skorupska, Nina M., Marsh, Harry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.1988; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Combustion. Flame; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; lithotypes; macerals in coal; reactivity; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; lithotypes; macerals in coal; reactivity; Boiler; Composition; Reactivity; Economic value; Thermogravimetry; Combustion; Chemical properties; Performance; Coalification degree; Physical properties; Coal firing; Maceral
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-2361(88)90150-0

Variations in the rank of coal used for power generation can cause problems with the efficiency of combustion. This paper describes an examination of the effects of variations in the maceral composition of coals, in association with rank, upon reactivity in combustion. Using a simple reactivity test, the reactivity ranges for two rank series of single seam coals were determined along with the reactivity ranges obtained from studying lithotypes of various maceral concentrations of a single coal. Reactivity tests on pure maceral concentrates show significant reactivity differences between macerals so that coal type (maceral/lithotype content) must be considered as important a parameter as rank. Changes in maceral concentration alone could account for 45% of the rank reactivity variation without changing rank.