Effects of intrinsic properties, particle size and specific surface area on WOP and spontaneous combustion susceptibility of coal

This study examines the effects of intrinsic properties, particle size, and specific surface area (SSA) of coal on spontaneous combustion. Moreover, it analyzes the underlying mechanism of spontaneous combustion from particle size, SSA and gas adsorption perspectives. The susceptibility of coal to spontaneous combustion is studied by wet-oxidation potential (WOP) method. Coal residues left after the WOP experiment are analyzed for change in structural and compositional behaviour. The study revealed an inverse relationship between the particle size and SSA of coal. Spontaneous combustion susceptibility increased with increase in volatile matter and decreased with increase in fixed carbon content of coal. The optimum moisture content of coal resulting maximum spontaneous combustion tendency is determined 6%. Decrease in particle size and increase in SSA augmented the spontaneous combustion propensity of coal. With decrease in coal particle size from 425 to 850 to < 38 µm, the mean D50 value decreased by 27 times, the mean SSA increased by 42 times and coal spontaneous combustion susceptibility increased almost by 2 times. Critical coal particle size is determined 38–74 µm (D50 = 50.56 µm), below which no appreciable change in oxidation rate is observed. Moreover, two models are developed to predict the spontaneous combustion susceptibility of coal based on particle size (D50) and SSA.