The effect of moisture content and air-drying on spontaneous combustion characteristics of two Turkish lignites

The results of an experimental study aimed at evaluating the spontaneous combustion characteristics of two Turkish lignites moistured and air-dried at varying times are discussed. The spontaneous combustion characteristics of the coals were determined using Crossing Point Methods adapted to our laboratories conditions. The content of three predominant oxygen functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl) of untreated, moisten and air-dried coal samples were also determined with wet chemical methods. The content of oxygen functional groups in moisten coal samples do not differ significantly that of untreated coal samples, for realized in vacuum desicator to moistured of coal samples. The liability of spontaneous combustion of the two coals was reduced when moisture content increased with increase in contacted time to water vapour. The moisten coal samples was dried in laboratory during 24 and 48 h time period. The concentration of oxygen contain functional groups of drying coal samples increased with increase of contact time with air and decrease of particle size. The liability of spontaneous combustion of the air-dried coal samples increased with increase of contacted time with air and with decrease of moisture content. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.