Thermal Analysis and Kinetics of Coal during Oxy-Fuel Combustion

The pyrolysis and oxy-fuel combustion characteristics of Polish bituminous coal were studied using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis. Pyrolysis tests showed that the mass loss profiles were almost similar up to 870℃ in both Nand COatmospheres, while further mass loss occurred in COatmosphere at higher temperatures due to char-COgasification. Replacement of Nin the combustion environment by COdelayed the combustion of bituminous coal. At elevated oxygen levels, TG/DTG profiles shifted through lower temperature zone, ignition and burnout temperatures decreased and mass loss rate significantly increased and complete combustion was achieved at lower temperatures and shorter times. Kinetic analysis for the tested coal was performed using Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose(KAS) method. The activation energies of bituminous coal combustion at the similar oxygen content in oxy-fuel with that of air were higher than that in air atmosphere. The results indicated that, with Oconcentration increasing, the activation energies decreased.