The Effect of CO on the Exothermic Characteristics of Low-Temperature Oxidation in Coal

In recent years, abnormally high concentrations of CO gas have often been detected in goaf areas of coal mines in China, which have posed a serious threat to safe production in coal mines and the life and safety of underground personnel. The effect of CO on the exothermic characteristics of low-temperature oxidation in coal was studied by analyzing the exothermic characteristics, heat release, oxidation stages, and activation energy of coal at different CO concentrations using a C600 microcalorimeter. The experimental results indicated that CO promoted the coal oxidation at low temperature, but inhibited it after reaching 144 degrees C. When the CO concentration is 30%, the exothermic characteristics of coal in low-temperature oxidation adsorption stage were significantly affected, with the heat flow value decreased by 27.0% and the initial exothermic temperature point moved forward by 3.9 K. In the later stage of the oxidation reaction, the heat release of coal was linearly negatively correlated with CO concentration. The higher the concentration, the lower the heat release. These findings contribute to understanding the combustion mechanism of coal in high-concentration CO atmosphere and provide valuable insights for designing and optimizing coal utilization technologies.