Application of TGA-FTIR Analysis to Study the Ignition Properties of Lignite Chars

Briquettes for heating or cooking are often made by pressing a blend of various chars. Desirable briquette properties include ease of ignition, minimal odors, high heat and long burning time. Lignite char contributes high heat and long burning but is often mixed with wood char to improve the ease of ignition. A thermogravimetric procedure was developed to measure the ignition proper ties of various lignite and wood char samples. Chars were collected at several points in the charring process or produced in the laboratory. Charring temper ature, time and length of aging of the char in air were important factors in the final char ignition properties. Char ignition temperature correlated well with the hydrogen content of the char.