Influence of antioxidants on spontaneous combustion and coal properties

Spontaneous combustion (SPONCOM) of coal is well known to be a serious threat to the safety of mineworkers, mining equipment and to the environment. It is also the biggest reason behind the coal mine fires. In this study, the influence of antioxidants on coal properties and SPONCOM liability of coal samples collected from South African coal mines was investigated. These antioxidants minimized SPONCOM but have effects on coal properties as confirmed under laboratory tests. As part of the design and test of a spray machine on two 60 T stockpiles using powdered gypsum as an antioxidant, the tests show an increase in the temperature distribution of the untreated stockpile compared to the treated stockpile. Gypsum, which has been used for the first time, proves to be an economically viable option compared to other antioxidants on both laboratory and medium-scale tests. (C) 2021 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.